By Julia Drossel
Beer Can Island, known as Pine Key Island, is a popular party spot for Tampa boaters. Named after all the beer bottles typically left behind, Hillsborough County officials now want to treat the island as a nature preserve.
Since 2017, the 11-acre island has served as a place for Tampa residents to dock boats between MacDill Air Force Base and Apollo Beach.
“Beer Can Island had a huge water slide, a tiki bar, a food truck, and a lot of good times,” said Scott Simeon, a Tampa resident. “I’ve spent many weekends with friends and family boating to Beer Can, and I’m sad to see it go.”
Mike Owens, a Hillsborough County Commissioner, wanted to protect the island by making it a private preserve.
As a result of Hillsborough County Commissioner Mike Ownes’ desire to restrict the private property, owners Carl Weaver, Johnny Gadd, and friends started a petition in Mar. 2023 to conserve the island as a party place.
The County also raised concerns about the Island’s lack of emergency safety. In a recent Facebook post from Beer Can Island, they confirmed their staff is trained in CPR and first aid, with an off-duty EMT on site. They also mentioned, “We have plans to set up a MASH tent with Army combat VA doctors very shortly, and we’ve landed helicopters on the island more than once.”
Weaver and co-owners purchased the island for $63,000 in 2017. According to Bay 9 News, the price jump to $14 million is comparable to previous offers.
“Right when we bought it, we got an offer for $1.5 million six years ago,” Weaver said. “We’ve had multiple multi-million dollar offers for the island. We just recently kind of turned down a $12 million offer.”
As of Feb. 15, 2024, the island still has no land zoning or land use designations. The island’s owners requested A land use designation in 2021 for safety programs and event bookings, but it still needs to be granted.
According to a press release, approximately 9 acres of uplands and 60 acres of submerged lands surround the island. With no zoning laws and 9 acres of free land, the future owners have many options for using the island.
“This opportunity is exceedingly rare, as Pine Key is one of the only privately owned islands in Tampa Bay,” Weaver said in an interview with FOX13. “We’re grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from the community and our members over the years, but all good things must come to an end at some point, and for us, that time is now.”
The island’s auction will begin in Mar. 2024 and end on Apr. 1. Island ownership will be transferred to the highest bidder. In addition to cryptocurrency offers, cash offers will be accepted for the island’s auction.