The government signed a Heads of Agreement on Tuesday for a $400 million luxury resort development proposed for Guana Cay in the Abacos, despite the consistent opposition that Guana Cay residents have waged against it.
While he touted the project as one that will add a stellar tourist product to the Bahamian experience, Prime Minister Perry Christie also gave an assurance that the highest environmental practices will be observed. It was a commitment that the investment’s principal, Michael Meldman, the CEO of Discovery Land Company, also gave.
“It is going to be staged construction, in other words, never going beyond the carrying capacity of the island [and] really conforming the development to meet all of the necessary planning features of an island community like Abaco and more specifically Guana Cay,” he said.
“So therefore it is not an invasion and a massive explosion, but it is something that will be phased and timed so as not to have any undue interruption with the setting and the quality of life and the laid back aspect of the island.”
The agreement provides for 66 acres of wetlands, creeks and flats to be preserved through a foundation designed for environmental and marine research that the College of The Bahamas will administer. Developers have given their word that they will also preserve beach access through a five to eight acre community beach park.
There are concerns about Passerine’s adverse impact on a nearby reef, wetlands and waste management in addition to worries about what the pesticides and insecticides used on the golf course could do to the environment.
It’s one of the reasons why the investors amended their initial proposal that was presented to the government several years ago and led to the subsequent decision to settle on a phased construction of the 75-room luxury villa style hotel, first class marina and golf course and more than 300 residential lots.
“It’s easy to develop property. It basically takes money,” Mr. Meldman said. “I think the secret to a lot of our success has been embracing the environment. Because no amount of money can create what we have here on this island with the beach and the sea and the property and so we have looked strategically across the world for places like that to be good stewards.”
The developers have committed to creating a community center with related amenities, a medical clinic and finance a fire fighting truck and expanded community school facilities.
Construction, which is expected to start within 90 days, is projected to extend over a ten-year period.
The developers have committed to employing 200 Bahamians during the construction period and a similar number on a permanent basis. Potential spin-off ventures for Bahamians are also expected in retail and professional services, water sports and local entertainment.
“When the smoke of all of the activity and apprehension and uncertainty clears [I hope] that you be seen to be an integrated part of the community of Abaco and Guana Cay and that you show the people that this will result in very positive developments in our country and that part of our country and that people’s lives will be impacted very positively,” the prime minister said.
Residents of Guana Cay, some of whom are second homeowners had formed an alliance against the project and had retained the services of prominent Grand Bahama attorney Fred Smith to stop what they referred to as a massive development. In some circles, the development was equated to a “death sentence” for a reef that was just 50 feet offshore.
The Passerine investment will be Abaco’s second colossal resort in addition to the Abaco Club at Winding Bay property. The island has the third largest economy in The Bahamas and there are plans to upgrade the infrastructure to accommodate increased developments.
Prime Minister Christie also said he expected to receive a report this week from the U.S. based airport planning firm of Kelsey Edwards which the government has commissioned to review Abaco’s airports.
The firm is expected to make short, medium and long-term recommendations related to safe and secure travel to the island.
“That is a very strong commitment to the government,” he said. “I am therefore very happy that our timing, in so far as our commitments are concerned, are on course and we expect to be able to share with the people of Abaco in the not too distant future recommendations with respect to travel in and out of Abaco.
Tameka Lundy, The Bahama Journal
MArch 2, 2005
