Blind Pass condos, CHR office sanctioned with ribbon-cuttings
The SanCap Chamber of Commerce welcomed continued post-hurricane progress with two Sanibel ribbon-cutting celebrations at the Blind Pass Condominiums on June 3 and a new office for Community & Housing Resources (CHR) on June 5.
The 107-unit, seven-acre condos includes more than 80 units in its rental programs. It has reopened its 58 second-floor units. Guests began arriving on June 1 after a limited opening of its first two units in April.
“While we are still working to restore the property to its former beauty, we have finally turned the corner,” rental manager Tom Henecker said. “Through the unceasing efforts of our board of directors, our owners, staff and management, construction workers in all trades, and our vendors and suppliers, we can again begin hosting our faithful guests as they return to their favorite vacation property and island.”
The 49 first-floor units damaged by the storm surge remain under renovation and will be added back into the rental pool over the coming weeks and months. The office/clubhouse adjacent to the pool also was flooded and reopened in February. The swimming pool is open, and new gas grills have been installed. Still to come are landscaping projects, renovation of the two tennis and pickleball courts, and installation of a new footbridge over Clam Bayou, the property’s private path to Bowman’s Beach.
Staff had been working remotely from their homes off island since the hurricane. Island Management is the property manager.
“What a happy occasion this ribbon-cutting was — celebrating more beach-accessible accommodation availability with a delicious buffet lunch catered by Tutti Pazzi,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “With its prime setting overlooking some of the island’s favorite, most secluded sands of Bowman’s Beach, it has held a special place in the hearts of residents and visitors since the 1970s.”
Formerly housed on Library Way, CHR lost its office in a building slated for demolition due to hurricane destruction. It temporarily relocated to an apartment at Woodhaven, one of its residential buildings. CHR operates nine properties and 65 units for the city’s Below Market Rate Housing program, which incorporated in 1979. Each property suffered varying degrees of damage. One building, Riverview, required demolition last year. CHR plans to replace it with two new buildings.
“CHR is about 90% full with a waiting list of 14 applicants and another eight more processing,” Executive Director Nicole Decker-McHale said. “Our community is at a critical time in regards to housing. There have been 41 calls of applicants who are working and homeless. The applicants are living out of cars, places of business or couch surfing.”
“Now, more than ever before, affordable employee housing is crucial to the islands’ recovery,” Lai said. “As Sanibel celebrates 50 years of incorporation later this year, CHR can be proud of its 45 years of keeping the island’s population safe, diverse and conducive to a healthy business economy. We thank them for their good work.”
The Blind Pass Condominiums is at 5117 Sea Bell Road, Sanibel.
CHR’s office is at 2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.