A change in ownership has Pines Trailer Park residents thinking about the future.
Tenants of the mobile home park, 103 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, waited months for news on the fate of their homes after receiving notice in January that the park land was for sale for $16 million.
The homeowner’s association learned in an introductory letter Sept. 12 from Pines Park Investors LLC that it had acquired the park from the Jackson Partnership LLLP.
“We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits,” the letter read.
The statement continued, “We are writing to you today with some exciting news regarding the future of Pines Park. We are Pines Park Investors LLC — a group of trailer park owners and operators. As you may be aware, we have recently acquired Pines Park and we wanted to take this opportunity to assure you that we are committed to preserving and improving the park in hopes of ensuring long-term success.”
The letter informed owners that Brien Quinn would continue to serve as park manager under the new ownership. Quinn has worked at the park for 14 years.
“We believe that his continued presence will greatly contribute to the smooth transition and ongoing management of Pines Park,” PPI stated. “With his expertise, we can ensure that our community remains well-maintained, secure and enjoyable for all residents.”
Pines Park Investors LLC lists local developer and business owner Shawn Kaleta as the title manager of the corporation and the law offices of Najmy Thompson as registered agent.
Keith Meyers, a Pines homeowner, told The Islander Sept. 14: “I’m happy that Kaleta stated that he intends to keep our trailer park a trailer park and that the families that call our park a home will be able to continue to enjoy our neighborhood and island.”
He added, however, “I hope that AMI politicians will wake up and see how few people are becoming a majority owner and controlling the future of how AMI is shaped.”
Meyers, a former member of the Pines HOA board, said he would wait to see what kind of relationship the HOA has with Pines Park Investors.
He said the HOA board has only two members but an effort to revive the board is ongoing.
Ryan Pfahler, who has lived in the Pines since 2020, said he hopes the new ownership follows through on a promise of improvements.
“They aren’t going to invest a lot of money and make this a really cool park if they’re planning on tearing it down,” he said.
Louis Najmy of Najmy Thompson released the ownership statement Sept 8. to The Islander, saying Kaleta was proud to announce the park acquisition.
A Sept. 5 warranty deed recorded by the Manatee County Clerk of Court indicates the park sold for $16.25 million.
Najmy was unable to say whether the park residents — owners of the mobile homes — would see a change in rent and fees for their homes.
The Pines Trailer Park, he said, joins the common ownership of the following businesses:
- Bradenton Beach Marina;
- Bali Hai Beach Resort;
- Anna Maria Beach Resort;
- Anna Maria Island Inn Resorts;
- Beach Bistro;
- Salt Bar and Table Restaurant.
Kaleta also owns or is a partner in real estate and vacation rental offices and other businesses in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
The Jackson Partnership, with Richard and William Jackson as officers, listed the park land for sale Jan. 25 for $16 million.
As required by state law, the partnership first offered the park to the homeowner’s association members for purchase, but the HOA and their representatives were unable to fund the purchase.
The Islander reached out to the Jackson Partnership by phone Sept. 9 for comment about the sale but, as of Islander press time Sept. 18, there was no response.
I don’t believe Kaleta.