Trailer Park Millionaires
One would never hear the words ‘trailer park’ and ‘millionaires’ used in the same sentence. However, that is exactly what has happened to the residents of Briny Breezes, a 43 acre trailer park which is about 60 miles north of Miami.
In December 2006, a developer offered them more money than any of them expected for their homes. In January 2007 most of the residents, most of them reluctantly, voted to accept the proposal. The developer, Ocean Land Investments (OLI), bid $510 million. That meant the residents of the 488 mobile homes now are millionaires.
Situated on a barrier island, Briny Breezes is located between million dollar luxury homes to the north and south and it is the last beach property in the area that has not been taken over by luxury high rise apartment complexes and sprawling mansions. For the past 50 years, it has been a cooperative co-owned by middle class residents. Most of the residents are retirees from the north. In the 1930s, Briny was a favored destination by “tin-can” tourists from Canada who were looking for extended winter vacation. It soon lost its “tin-can” image. Most of the trailers here are the size of modest homes and are separated by yards. Over the years, Briny developed a strong sense of community which was severely tested in the weeks leading up to the voting. Residents say developers had always been coming around with offers but none were taken seriously.
OLI says the community will be replaced by a condominium and hotel development. The price of a condo in the new complex is expected to be around $3 million. OLI still has to get many government approvals before the deal actually goes through. This has given hope to the residents who voted against the deal, many of whom have lifelong sentimental associations with Briny’s Breeze.
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