Extensions for some at Gasparilla Estates
Losing a good neighbor
Gasparilla Mobile Estates residents, at least the few that still remain, are packing up and leaving the park. They have until Easter Sunday to be out, according to a settlement offer reached in February of this year, though some residents have been allowed to stay on.
“It’s like living in the middle of a junkyard,” said Larry Fennell, lifelong friend of a resident, who was helping out by holding a garage sale in the estates.
Fennell, who is a self-declared snowbird from Wisconsin, has been living in his RV in the park for about three weeks to help his friend. The friend, and owner of the residency, is in an assisted living home and his wife passed away. The couple’s son, upon being appointed power of attorney, gathered some personal items and left, advising Fennell to “sell what he could, board up the place and drive away.”
Gasparilla Mobile Estates is represented by the St. Petersburg firm of Adams and Reese LLP. Partner Adam McBride provided the Beacon with a written statement on the settlement:
“There has been a plan of reorganization confirmed by the bankruptcy court and an order entered terminating the resident leases effective March 31st as provided for by Florida law. An extension of the move-out date has been given to residents who have requested it. As reflected in the court records the settlement was agreed to by the resident claimants.
He went on to explain the settlement.
“The park’s owners have complied with all statutory obligations and are paying the residents directly for the abandonment of their mobile homes (many of which sustained significant damage or were destroyed by the hurricane) and in satisfaction of the claims filed in the bankruptcy case. While the park’s owners are saddened by the closure of Gasparilla Mobile Estates as a result of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian, they are pleased that the dispute is now resolved and all affected parties can move forward with their lives.”
Remaining residents at the park were said to be about a dozen. They were reticent about speaking before the settlement date.
The park, which is just north of Gasparilla Marina in Placida, was hit hard by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Just after the hurricane, residents received an eviction notice saying they had to be off the property by Nov. 7.
Many residents stayed, citing promises from earlier owners that the park would not be sold out from under them.
When very few residents turned in the titles to their homes, property owner Carol Kropp attempted to stop the utility companies from restoring power and water and had the park’s sewer plant shut down, according to previous reporting by the Beacon. All initial repairs from the hurricane were left up to residents of the park.
Members of the HOA and Placida Park Residents Club LLC attempted to purchase the park, offering up to $20 million, but the proposal was not accepted.
Earl Schworm, who originally built the estates, transferred ownership in a 1983 deed that specified that the land must be used as a rental mobile home park for 15 years, and in the event of a breach or violation would be transferred back to Schworm. Though this period has long-since ended, this item in the deed is a testament to the intent of the original owner that the park remain an option for residents.
At the beginning of February this year, owners received a 10 percent settlement offer, which would have them agree that their tenancy would end as of Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. The settlement includes a non-disparagement clause.
This week, remaining residents held garage sales to try to sell what they could salvage from the wreckage. Throughout the park, buildings are in ruin, and mostly abandoned. Some have blue tarps covering roofs; however, the tarps are no match for the mold that has invaded many homes, one resident said as he packed his car.
The garage sales have not been very successful, said Fennell, who was trying to make some money for his friend’s assisted living care. Fennell has worked for two big auction companies, but despite this, has only been able to sell a few doors and windows from the home.
“If I think something is worth $60, and I price it for $10, I might get offered $1” he said. “It hasn’t been a great success.”
Boca Grande resident Diane Troutman said that the community should be aware and concerned when these things happen.
“When you’re driving down Gasparilla Road and pass Gasparilla Estates you know you’re home,” she said. “What happens there happens to us, and we as their neighbors do care – we will miss you and we want you there.”
Estates Timeline
1970s: Earl Schworm built Gasparilla Mobile Estates
Jan.1, 1983: Schworm sold the property to John Weichel and Harold Whitcomb for $1,121,400
March 2018: Whitcomb died, and the park was passed down to his children, including Carol Kropp, who has since run the estates
Jan. 16, 2022: An F1 tornado swept the bottom of Cape Haze Peninsula, damaging more than two dozen mobile homes in Gasparilla Estates
Sept. 28, 2022: Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida, further devastating the park
Oct. 1, 2022: Gasparilla Estates residents received a notice that their leases are terminated, and they must be out by Nov. 7, 2022 (later eviction letters pushed this deadline back several times)
Dec. 20, 2022: The Homeowner’s Association filed suit against the property owner for unlawful closure
Dec. 22, 2022: The park filed for bankruptcy in United States Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida Division, Fort Myers.
February 2024: Owners received a settlement offer which would have them agree that tenancy ends on March 31
