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By Robin Pollack, staff
writer
SEWALL'S POINT -
When
Lucy McCartney wants to escape life's hubbub, she climbs into her kayak
and paddles her way to the spoil islands off Sewall's Point to
meditate or paint.
On Thursday, McCartney became the proud
owner of the two undeveloped havens after she pitched the top bid of
$310,000 during a public auction aboard a shop docked within view of the property on a stunning sunny day.
Tanned and relaxed
in baggy beige khakis and a white cotton shirt over a navy tank top,
McCartney leapt into the arms of real estate broker Richard Geisinger
Jr., who let out a whoop when auctioneer Karlin Daniel exclaimed,
"Sold!"
The purpose of the purchase by the Sewall's Point resident was
twofold: to continue to enjoy the islands of mangroves and Australian
pines - and, more importantly, to protect them from development.
"It's a beautiful part of our environment, and I want to keep it that
way," McCartney, 45, said. "I just want to protect it and keep it
safe."
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McCartney's intent was applauded by many in attendance, from neighbors
and conservationists to town leaders - and even the man
who ended up in a bidding war with his Sewall's Point neighbor.
"As long as it goes into conservation, I don't care: That was the whole
point," said Bob Greene, whose bid was $300,000. "There would be a
lot of resentment in this town if (someone) tried to develop it."
Mayor Robert Wienke said town leaders have been hopeful the islands,
which total just under 5 acres, would be purchased by a local,
environmentally minded resident.
"We're very happy it will remain in its
natural state," said Wienke, clad in blue khaki shorts, a sports
shirt and the requisite sunglasses worn by the auction-goers. "It's
great the McCartneys got it."
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Husband Ron and their two daughters
encouraged Lucy McCartney, an art teacher and holistic health
therapist, to try and snap up the islands she enjoys retreating to.
"I
would hate to see anything happen to these islands," she said. "I grew
up in Miami. I saw so much rape and pillage going on down there."
The native Floridian moved to the Treasure Coast in 1987. For years, she
has been kayaking out to the archipelago of islands just south of
Sewall's Point.
It's really just a place to muck about, to hang out,"
she said. "I meditate; I do artwork. I was out there yesterday. It's a
beautiful spot."
About
three dozen people boarded the Island Princess at the Hutchinson Island
Marriott Resort & Marina for the auction. Of those, 26 were registered
bidders, said Daniel, owner of Karlin Daniel & Associates, the Stuart
firm that conducted the bidding.
Men were clad in casual
clothing like khaki shorts and boat shoes, a stark contrast to the crisp
look of the blue blazers, white shirts and red ties donned by the
auction staff. Some of the women - like McCartney - dressed casually.
Others were decked in stylish silk, straw hats, high-heeled mules and
designer handbags.
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Continued -
The auction began when the ship docked within view of
the property. After joking a bit with the attendees, Daniel - in his
lightning-quick, auctioneer-style spiel - kicked off the bidding at
$50,000.
Five people participated in the auction. At the end, McCartney
and Greene - standing near each other - were the final bidders.
Larry Olson dropped out when the bidding went beyond $150,000. The
retiree, who lives on a peninsula off St. Lucie Boulevard, said he would
have built a guest house on the land. |
"But, not for that much
money," said Olson, referring to the final bid. "It's got a lot of
challenges as far as developing it, and for security as well." The spoil
islands, formed at the crossroads of the Indian and St. Lucie rivers
when the Intracoastal Waterway was dredged in the 1930s, were owned by
Moon Bay Island, an Orlando-area holding company.
Moon Bay purchased the property in
1998 from Inverrary Trace, a defunct Palm Beach company, for $100,000,
county records show. Inverrary Trace had bought the islands from
Bessemer properties, another defunct Palm Beach company, that same year
for $20,000. |
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