Village Weekly Update


October 26, 2026

Message from the Manager

The 2026 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3. Candidates for four of the five Council seats will be on the ballot (Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney was unopposed).

The winning candidates will be sworn in at the November 17 Regular Village Council Meeting.

Also on the ballot are 3 proposed amendments to the Village Charter that were approved by the seven-person Charter Review Committee and placed on the ballot by the Village Council.

Voters will be deciding whether to increase the terms of Council members from 2 to 3 years, to set a new procedure to fill a Council seat vacancy, and to require a supermajority Council vote on amending the land use map or zoning of certain Village-owned property. 

Click here to view Islamorada's Sample Ballot.

News You Can Use

Subject: Temporary traffic pattern change. 

To all residents and motorists,

This announcement serves to inform you about upcoming changes to traffic flow in the Plantation Key Colony neighborhood on October 31, 2026, Halloween night. 

The changes are scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM and are expected to last until 10:00 PM. 

The purpose of these changes is to reduce congestion in the neighborhood and provide a safe environment for our Trick or Treaters. 

All vehicles will remain to the right of all cones. All pedestrians will remain on the left of all cones.     

All vehicles entering Plantation Key Colony will utilize Royal Poinciana Boulevard. At Coconut Palm Boulevards, vehicles will be directed to turn right or left depending on their destination.

North Coconut Palm Boulevard will become a one-way street. South Coconut Palm Boulevard will become a one-way street from the intersection of Royal Poinciana Boulevard to the intersection of Bougainvillea Street.

Hibiscus Street will become one-way streets, allowing turns only on to Royal Poinciana Boulevard towards US-1. 

Jasmine Street will become one-way streets, allowing turns only on to Royal Poinciana Boulevard towards US-1.

Bougainvillea Street will become a one-way street between South Coconut Palm Boulevard and Royal Poinciana Boulevard, allowing turns on to Royal Poinciana Boulevard towards US-1. 

Royal Poinciana Boulevard will be the only way out of Plantation Key Colony as a one-way street. 

All vehicles leaving the area will utilize Royal Poinciana Boulevard only. 

Plantation Key Colony will have residential parking only. Non-residents will park at Plantation Key School, Coral Shores High School and the Old Road. 

Please follow all posted signage and directions for your safety and the safety of all participants. Please avoid distractions and exercise caution while navigating the area. 

For further information or questions regarding this traffic change, please contact:



Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Cpt. Lissette Quintero

305-619-0779 or Lquintero@keysso.net

Thank you for your patience and understanding.  

Islamorada is moving forward with an innovative shoreline protection project at Sea Oats Beach designed to reduce coastal erosion, improve shoreline resilience, and enhance marine habitat. The proposed Resilient Living Breakwater Project will feature a series of specially designed reef-like structures called Reef Arches installed just offshore (about 50 feet) along the shoreline adjacent to U.S. Highway 1.

These structures are intended to reduce wave energy, help stabilize the shoreline, and provide additional protection against storm surge and rising sea levels. Unlike traditional shoreline barriers, the breakwater will also incorporate oyster shell materials and reef structures designed to support marine life and provide environmental benefits.

Following a feasibility study completed in 2025, the Village has advanced the project through preliminary design and coordination with environmental regulatory agencies. The Village has now authorized its environmental consultant to proceed with the permitting phase, which will include additional environmental evaluations, design refinements, and coordination with state and federal agencies during this next permitting phase.

This project represents an important step toward protecting Islamorada's vulnerable shoreline and critical infrastructure while promoting a healthier coastal ecosystem.

It is important to note that the Village's Living Breakwater Project is separate from the artificial reef project proposed by Reef Starter, an independent organization, which would be located farther offshore in deeper waters approximately 7 to 9 feet deep.

Reef Arches: Proposed reef arch structures are designed to reduce wave energy while providing habitat for marine organisms

Plan View: Preliminary design showing the proposed arrangement of the living breakwater structures offshore of Sea Oats Beach

The Village, Monroe County, and other municipalities are working together to appeal FEMA’s 2019 preliminary flood maps, with Woods Hole Group providing technical assistance throughout the process. The Village’s current effective flood maps date to 2005.

In July 2026, FEMA formally responded to the appeal and requested additional supporting data before proceeding with the proposed mapping approach. Woods Hole Group submitted the requested information on behalf of the participating communities October 2026. The team is now awaiting FEMA’s review and direction on next steps.

The Village will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.

Are you looking for a way to contribute to the community? Join a Village committee!

Work collaboratively with other residents to discuss the issues affecting Islamorada and help make advisory recommendations to the Village Council.

We currently have vacancies for the Historical Preservation Commission, Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee, and Land Acquisition Advisory Committee. Apply by November 10.

Early Voting provides a more convenient alternative to traditional Election Day voting.

Early Voting allows you to cast your ballot in person between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. through Saturday, October 31.

The closest Early Voting site is at the Plantation Key Community Center in the old courthouse at 88820 Overseas Highway.

Vote on Election Day in your registered precinct on November 3 between 7:00am - 7:00pm.

Not sure where to vote? Check out the Supervisor of Elections Where Do I Vote button below for more information.

ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Sunday, October 25, through Saturday, October 31, 2026

State Road (SR) 5/Overseas Highway Channel 5 Bridge (near MM 71)

Work continues under the Channel 5 Bridge. 
Nightime lane closures are scheduled.

Lane Closure/Detours:

• Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled to begin Monday, October 26, through Thursday, October 29, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. 
• Flaggers will periodically stop traffic in one direction to allow vehicles from the opposite direction to pass safely.
• Motorists should be prepared to stop and proceed only when directed by the construction team. 

View the project webpage here

State Road (SR) 5/Overseas Highway Long Key Bridge (near MM 64)

Work continues under the Long Key Bridge.

Lane Closure/Detours:

• No lane closures or detours are scheduled.

View the project webpage here

State Road (SR) 5/U.S. 1/Overseas Highway Seven Mile Bridge over Moser Channel Rehabilitation (MM 40 - MM 47)

Work continues under the bridge.

Lane Closure/Detours:

• Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled Monday, October 26, through Thursday, October 29, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. 

• Flaggers will periodically stop traffic in one direction to allow vehicles from the opposite direction to pass safely.

View the project webpage here

State Road (SR) 5/U.S. 1/Overseas Highway on Bahia Honda Bridge (near MM 36)

Work continues under the Bahia Honda Bridge. Installation of materials requires daytime lane closures.

Lane Closure/Detours:

• Single-lane closures are scheduled Monday, October 26, through Friday, October 30, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

• One lane in each direction will remain open at all times.

View the project webpage here

For real-time traffic and lane closure information, drivers are encouraged to log onto www.FL511.com, or download the FL511 app.

Your new drinking water pipeline is now fully connected and flowing!

Crews have completed connecting the 34,362 feet of new drinking water pipe from Snake Creek Bridge to Julep Road in Plantation Key, including all SIX connection points linking the new pipeline to the existing system.

Crews are more than 50% completed with the paving and restoration work for the drinking water pipe replacement project and expected to be completed by end of October 2026.

Paving and restoration work takes place overnight roughly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sundays through Thursdays along Overseas Highway/U.S. 1 from Snake Creek Bridge to Julep Road.

Here's what to expect during the overnight paving operation:

• A rolling lane shift will be in effect along U.S. 1 from Snake Creek Bridge to Julep Road.
  
• From Snake Creek Bridge to Woods Avenue, one northbound lane and one southbound lane will remain open.
  
• From Woods Ave to Julep Road, one northbound lane and two southbound lanes will remain open.
  
• Access to homes and businesses will remain open. However, entrances and exits may be temporarily impacted in some areas during the overnight work to allow for proper asphalt curing.
  
• Drivers should use caution, follow posted signs, and allow extra travel time while crews are working.

Maps of the project, timelines and progress reports are updated regularly and available from the FKAA at: FKAA Plantation Key Transmission Replacement Project

Questions? Email community@fkaa.com. After-hours support is available at (305) 296-2454.

·        Click here to follow the FKAA on Facebook

·        Click here to follow the FKAA on X

·        Click here to sign up for CodeRED emergency notifications from the FKAA

Recreation & Events

As part of his master’s degree in marine biology at the University of Miami, Andrew Jordan is leading a community engagement project through his internship with Florida Bay Forever focused on the growing use of forward-facing sonar in Florida Bay.

Forward-facing sonar is a real-time scanning technology that allows anglers to see and track individual fish with remarkable precision.

As its use becomes more widespread, it has sparked important conversations about fish behavior, catch efficiency, and the principle of fair chase—the idea that wildlife should have a reasonable opportunity to evade detection and pursuit.

This community engagement project will bring together guides, anglers, scientists, conservation organizations, and other stakeholders to share perspectives and explore how this evolving technology may be affecting Florida Bay and the fisheries that support our community.

The goal is not to advocate for a particular position, but to encourage informed, respectful dialogue and better understand the opportunities and challenges surrounding forward-facing sonar.



This year's Annual Trunk or Treat event, held on Saturday, October 24th, was a spooktacular success!

We extend a huge THANK YOU to all the local businesses, organizations, and community members who participated and helped make this event such a memorable evening!

Your creativity, enthusiasm, and community spirit truly brought the event to life. We couldn't have done it without you!

👽Did you get a chance to visit the Founders Park Staff's Alien Invasion booth? Our team had an out-of-this-world time bringing this extraterrestrial experience to life!

Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee

November 2 | 5:00 p.m.

Election Day

November 3 | 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Canceled: Land Acquisition Advisory Committee

November 4 | 9:30 a.m.

The Village of Islamorada is a cultural hub.

With many local art galleries, two museums, and live music nearly every night at various venues, the arts abound!

Check out the calendar to find out what's going on any day of the week. 

For even more local events, we recommend the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce's Community Calendar and the Monroe County Tourism Development Council's Events Calendar. 

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