Before You Close The Book on The Islander,
Read This Chapter.
The Whole Story
For those who want every detail, every document, and every step along the way.This section provides a complete timeline of events, emails, board responses, research, and documentation. It’s the full picture of how we got here and where we may go next.
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For those that just want the big picture without all the fine print, view The Short Story.
Additionally, Use the links provided for further navigation.
Clarity for Every Owner
Transparency for Every Decision
This page was created by Lisa Joaquin, an Islander owner to give all Islander owners a clear picture of what has transpired. For months, communication has been limited, confusing, or inconsistent—and many of us have felt left in the dark. Here you’ll find a straightforward summary of the key events, decisions, and options surrounding The Islander’s future.
The goal is not to overwhelm, but to provide clarity: a simple overview for those who just want the essentials, and full documentation for those who want to dive deeper. Most importantly, this page exists so every owner can see the complete story—not just the parts the board has chosen to share—so that when it comes time to decide how we move forward, we can do so together, with the facts in hand.
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​​Preserving The Islander: A Path Forward Through History
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Exploring how The Islander’s history may unlock its future—and give owners a real chance to repair.
What if The Islander’s past could help secure its future?
Here’s the story the board hasn’t told you…
​This page will provide you with a clear understanding of the ongoing effort to pursue historic preservation as a means of protecting our property. Why does this matter? Because if The Islander is deemed eligible for historic status, it could allow repairs to move forward without being restricted by FEMA’s 50% Rule.
Here you’ll find a straightforward summary of the preservation path: what’s been discovered so far, why it matters, and how it may open the door to repairing rather than losing what we love.
Clearing Up a Common Misconception
When people hear “historic preservation,” they often think of complicated rules, costly requirements, and endless red tape. That’s understandable — but it does not apply to what we’re doing.
👉 We are not seeking a full nomination or historic designation.
👉 We are only seeking a simple LETTER OF ELIGIBILITY.
That letter simply says The Islander has enough historical significance to qualify for the National Register — nothing more. And with that one letter in hand, the key benefit for us kicks in: we can bypass FEMA’s 50% rule, making repair a real option. See Why Eligibility Matters.
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Here, we’re focusing on one critical question:
Can historic eligibility give us the chance to repair and preserve The Islander?
Without Added Cost to Owners​​​​​...
Islander Historic Preservation Efforts
Our journey to protect, preserve, and honor The Islander’s history
Dolphin Apartments - 1964
A Single Call Sparked a Real Chance for The Islander’s Future…
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We reached out to the Pinellas County Historic Preservation Planner and shared The Islander’s story.
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He told us we stood a real chance.
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He explained the process.
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He encouraged us to submit preliminary documentation.
From there, he connected us with the Florida Department of State,
opening the door to the next step in our preservation journey.
Our Journey, Step by Step
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The timeline below highlights the key steps we’ve taken.
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Each date includes a short summary of what happened.
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Click any date to explore the full details (or just click here to start at the beginning), including email correspondence, the preservation package, supporting reports, and clarifications to points that were questioned or challenged by the attorney.
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You’ll also find additional documentation and references so that every owner has access to the complete picture.
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To read everything in order, simply select "Continue the Story" within each section to move through the events in order..
08/15/2025
1. Updated Historic Preservation package sent for board and attorney review.
2. State preservation office agrees to review the package and suggests we send additional documents.
3. Attorney praises the package yet dismisses preservation efforts with misleading claims that don't hold up under fact-check. ​​​