Rendings of potential home styles that could fit in the footprint
of the new Damfiwill project lots. These are only suggestions
for potential home buyers, not the ultimate choices.
March/April 2019 GASPARILLA ISLAND 75
Charmin, Andy and Patty Hobbs, Jimmy Mobley,
Jo Ann Spears (still here), CSX railroad (at that
time Raymond Rodriquez Sr. kept his boat there),
Ted Van Itallie, Eustis Payne, Dr. Hank and Ann
Wright, Danny Campo and, believe it or not, a
Mote Marine facility. He said he also remembers
the days when he would see the “Miss Budweiser”
in the waterway, as well as the many boats owned
by Richard Beacheam and Buzz Watkins.
“It was and still is an idyllic space and I feel
fortunate to maintain this property until the next
generation as I never want this unique property
to leave my family,” he said.
Meanwhile, over on Damfiwill Street, island
Realtor Bob Melvin is starting a new little project
that will change the landscape of the neighborhood.
Logically called “The Damfiwill Project,” it
covers five lots and will feature five new homes.
The project managers have already spruced up the
surroundings a bit by resurfacing the road, implementing
a better drainage system and burying the
power lines.
“This project is currently in phase one,” Melvin
said. “The street design has been set in stone and
work on the streets has begun. Phase two is
scheduled for summer of this year.”
This is a project with a lot of island hands
involved. It was Will Farish who sold the property
to another islander, Tim Downey. His brother is a
Chicago architect who worked with McHugh
Porter on some interesting home plans that would
fit to scale in the neighborhood.
“These are just suggestions of home plans, these
renderings just show what type of house can be
built within the legal footprint and minimum use
determination,” Melvin said. “But the buyers can
get anyone they want to create their perfect
house.”
You can find out more about The Damfiwill
Project at damfiwill.com.
This photo was taken in the late 1960s and shows
Terry Seitz’s home as the only house at the end of
Damficare Street. The only other house at that time was
at the other end of the street, at the intersection of
Damficare and E. Railroad, owned by Dr. George Fritz.
It is now the home of Braxton and Betty Bowen. There
were only two houses on Damfino at that time, and the
vacant land across the street from Boca Grande Marina
and Waterways didn’t even exist. G
M
/damfiwill.com