Mayor Rice Speaks at Seahorse Cottages Groundbreaking; Building Dept. Staff Recognized at the Event

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Mayor David Rice spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony of Seahorse Cottages on Big Pine Key on Thursday. The project includes 31 affordable housing rental units being built by the nonprofits Florida Keys Community Land Trust and Rural Neighborhoods on the footprint of the old Seahorse Trailer Park. Hurricane Irma damaged many parts of the Big Pine Key area in 2017.

“Affordable housing defines the future of the Florida Keys,” said Rice. He also mentioned that 31 new units are great, but he hopes to one day celebrate 3,000 units. “We need to provide opportunities for our workers to afford to live here and support our community.”

In addition to Rice, past commissioner George Neugent was recognized at the event, along with Monroe County Land Authority Executive Director Christine Hurley. The project funding came from federal grants through the State of Florida after Hurricane Irma ravaged the Florida Keys.

Rural Neighborhoods Executive Director Steve Kirk said he had no idea how complex development in the Florida Keys was and pointed out Building Department staff Scott Acker and Michaela Manning for being instrumental in assisting the nonprofit through the permitting process.

Kirk says he expects the grand opening of the rental units to be in early 2023. He said the application process would likely be posted in a few months at www.affordablekeys.org.