If SDO Passes: Hotel To Donate 28 Acres
Tucker’s Point today [Mar.13] announced that should the Special Development Order [SDO] pass in the Senate this coming Wednesday, it will donate over 28 acres of land to Bermuda. In addition, it has agreed to maintain the one-acre Harrington Sound Park on Harrington Sound Road as part of the agreement.
The SDO passed in the House already, and is due to be debated in the Senate this coming Wednesday [Mar.16]. An online petition objecting to the SDO has topped 1,500 signatures as of this writing, and various groups in Bermuda have spoken out against the SDO. Both CURB and BEST have called for concerned residents to contact Senators to voice their concerns, with CURB also calling for residents to come to the Cabinet Building grounds on Wednesday to “quietly protest the Tuckers Point SDO.”
The land that the resort plans to donate comprises a 7.45 acre and 1.66 acre lot, both on Whitecrest Hill, and a 19-acre Mangrove Lake, for a total of around 28 acres. To provide a comparision, the land offered is larger than the Arboretum [21 acres], but smaller than Botanical Gardens [36 acres].
Tucker’s Point said the “land will be conveyed to the Bermuda Government for conservation management purposes prior to final approval for housing on any lot created by the SDO.”
The slideshow below is from last week’s walking tour of the Tucker’s Point area, during which an estimated 2,000 people turned out to see both the property itself, and the areas that will be affected by the SDO.
Ed Trippe, President of Tucker’s Point, says: “As part of the Tucker’s Point development, we very much wanted to give something back to the island. The park maintenance programme, land donation and lake, along with our extensive reforestation programme, will ensure that the endemic species and natural beauty of Tucker’s Point is preserved for many generations.”
Mr. Trippe continues: “Before any building occurs, we will carry out a woodland vegetation assessment. All endemic, native and ornamental plants will be protected. We’ll also carry out a habitat survey that will identify the habitats that are contained on the site. It will also identify the presence of any rare plants or animals, or a special habitat feature, which we will protect through a Conservation Management Plan. Tucker’s Point has been planned with the greatest amount of respect for the land and the environment and we will continue with this approach.”
“We carried out an Environmental Impact Study in 2002, which showed we can build while still preserving the caves. However, before we build we will hire a qualified cave survey specialist to update the study. If a risk of damaging the caves becomes apparent, we just won’t build in that area.”
A Tucker’s Point spokesperson said, “New residential building site coverage on the environmentally sensitive locations is far less than most of Tucker’s Point critics foresee and is estimated to be in the range 41,000 square feet (less than one acre) spread out and mitigated by a full 12-acre reforestation programme that will be implemented should the SDO be passed. The reforestation programme will include the planting and preservation of endemic, native and ornamental plants such as Cedars, Palmetto, fiddlewood and Olivewood on the development sites, along Castle Harbour Drive, on the golf course and on White Crest Hill (formerly the old water catchment).”
“From its beginnings Tucker’s Point has been conscious of the importance of protecting its environment – 240 acres of profound natural beauty and ecological importance. Stewardship measures have been in place since before Tucker’s Point first broke ground, and new initiatives continue to evolve as the resort strives to become the first green certified hotel on Bermuda.”
“Since the hotel’s opening in 2009, Tucker’s Point has been recognized within Bermuda and internationally for its commitment to sustainable development. Most recently, it has been nominated to receive the Green Globe Certificate – a credit to its ongoing commitment to maintaining a sustainable environmental. Currently underway are plans to implement a property-wide recycling and composting program, to eliminate the use of oil-based paints, and to introduce Bermuda’s first solar panel-charged golf carts.”
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Do these guys really think people are going to fall for this?
Until the public is given the financial information needed to make an informed decision, it makes no sense to consider any deal that TPR offers in exchange for the SDO. Show us the financial statements and loan agreements to see whether TPR is a viable going concern, and give us the names of all shareholders and creditors (so we know whom we are bailing out), the estimated costs of building the 78 houses/condos and the 70 hotel rooms, and the source and terms of funding and the expected sales prices and net profit. Only a fool enters into a business deal without knowing the facts.
Well said!
Please see Stuart Hayward’s response below. Don’t be tricked by this promise. Bermuda loses 65 acres of protected land (yes, owned by TPC but legally protected for the good of all Bermuda)if the SDO goes through. At the moment TPC must care for this land and deal with polluted Mangrove Lake so this so-called gift would just save them money and raise the bill for taxpayers!
The Minister of Health will fall for it as he seems to be the spokesperson for the PLP these days, regardless of the topic.
IF he does he certainly is NOT thinking about the Health of that land!
Mangrove Lake is water…very thoughful donation!
So what you’re really saying Mr. Dunkley is, “We really don’t care about the fragile ecosystems, little tadpoles and flora in the lake”, “What’s really important for us is to be a pain in the you know what and sink this thing before it even has a chance”. Did we hit the nail on the head? Or how about – “Everything BEST has been telling you about the environment at Tucker’s Point, really isn’t entirely true”. Come on people. Stop being so asinine.
so you actually believe that those woodlands don’t have any habitats and ecosystems within them? that would be asinine…
Trippe appears to be throwing a bone to the Senators, did he use the same tactic with our ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES? It now seems very likely!
Just wonder if there’s a conflict of interest once again . . . A certain construction company has been promised the contract for demolition of the TPR SDO designated property if it should pass???
Pure BS spin form Bermuda Properties Ltd!
To quote from an article, “Destination Bermuda” by Timothy Dumas that appeared in Greenwich Magazine in 2007 . . . “But the Bermuda project, owing to strict and sometimes eccentric zoning practices, remained elusive. “My father kept saying, ‘Let me develop a residential community and build the community around the existing hotel [the former Castle Harbour Hotel], and then I can make the hotel even better,’ ” Trippe recalls. “And they wouldn’t hear of it. The Bermudian government took the view that there were enough second homes out there already.” It would take Ed Trippe — and Ed’s own brand of stubborn resilience — to bring this dream full circle.” In other words, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A REAL ESTATE DEAL and I am very embarrassed for OUR present Government for believing it has been all for tourism, when in fact they have had financial difficulty from the get go (read the full article, very enlightening )& Bda Properties Ltd greed has driven them further into debt!!! So destroying OUR precious environment will not even make a dent in their debt . . . Do the sums!
At least they are looking for ways to give something. Is anyone the slightest concerned about the employees who work there and how their jobs depend on the development and introduction of a new managing company like Rosewood? Investors and accountants are not hoteliers, and it would be a shame if the hotel is turned over to them in a receivership. To get Bermuda back to how it was in the 80s the staff need training, companies need to grow and fresh brand is needed to bring Bermuda back to it’s bustling hot spot again. This will not happen without the opportunity of growth.
With over 90 % Bermudians employeed at Tucker’s Point I think people need to start thinking how if the SDO doesn’t get passed, then where does that leave the employees. Hospitality is the only industry that Bermuda has to cling to and focusing on growth should be priority. Insurance companies and international businesses won’t be here forever and when they all up and leave whats left?? — tourism. Let’s focus on growth of hospitality and development and not assume theres going to be a concrete jungle when there are not even plans and specs drawn up yet.
As an ex-employee of TPC, I still do not see how this will get them out of debt?! How do we build more and take out more $ from the bank, in order to save the original loan? Won’t they be taking out a second loan to build these new houses? What happens to the first loan of some $400 million it took to build the first stage of this development? I don’t see how it all works? If I were to take out a loan, not be able to pay it off, then ask for more money to build more to help pay the original loan, I’m pretty sure the bank would not give me the $, right?! Something is fishy with this situation and it doesn’t benefit Bermuda at all!
I agree with this above ex-employee comment. If this passes then it will just postpone the highly likely case of them going into Receivership. Essentially investors/government are advocating a “double down” on Tuckers Point. Can you imagine how much debt they going to incur with this expansion. This is an incredibly risky venture. Not looking very promising. Hopefully the Senators can step up and make a stand against this SDO!
OK so again I ask what will happen to the staff? Maybe we will begin to see a alot more “ex-employees” of TPC soon then.
I’m sure if TPR goes into receivership now or later, HSBC will have it up & running until they can sell it or might actually turn it around, just like Butterfield’s has Newstead-Belmont Hills.
Have any of the employees of Newstead been let go? I haven’t heard of any! I suggest the new management company, Rosewood, continue their endeavours with turning this failing property around; build the new rooms only! If it continues failing, then it goes into receivership, and another company/owner comes along and tries their luck.
Its a case of the current owner not wanting to let go of the 200+ acres which was stolen from those people centuries ago!
Sorry not centuries ago; decades!
I am sure they have buyers out there waiting for the outcome. Once they receive approval some hefty deposits should start to roll in. At the end of the day they may even make a nice little profit.
So all of a sudden Tucker’s Point is portraying itself as generous donators and environmental stewards. Ponder this:
19 of the acres they are “donating” to the Bermuda is a portion of Mangrove Lake, a body of water so polluted that it is a danger to its inhabitants. Two points:
1) donating the polluted lake to the Bermuda government absolves Tucker’s Point of any responsibility for cleaning it up, and
2) what kind of environmental stewardship did Tucker’s Point exercise in allowing Mangrove Lake to become so polluted.
According to Dr. David Wingate, Tucker’s Point’s environmental record has been “abysmal”. Details will be forthcoming, I’m sure.
Meanwhile, Tucker’s Point appears to be in desperation, suggesting there’s more to the story than we’ve been told…
A number of prominent Bermudians need to stand up, raise their right hands and declare their financial interest in this insulting mess. Who are the Bermudians on the board of directors?
Mr. Hayward,
I have seen this point raised by you several times in reference to Mangrove Lake being “so polluted that it is a danger to its inhabitants”. I would like for you to elaborate on this assertion and if possible provide some links towards supporting evidence.
Good by Bermuda. Best of luck…..
Mr Trippe – do us all a favour and stop lying to the people of Bermuda. This is purely a financial deal for you so don’t pretend that you care about our well-being or our environment.
Future Bermudians shouldn’t have to pay for your huge mistake of squandering $100s of millions of dollars of profits you made off the first of Tucker’s Developments with the other two SDOs.
It’s time for Bermuda to stand up and be heard all together – no matter what background, political affliations, race or regligion – and say NO to expanding Tucker’s point any further.
A ‘leaf’ or should it be ‘water’ in the right direction. My initial thought was that the 28 acres should be turned over to the Tucker’s Town Historical Society which comprises descendants of the original owners. If Mr. Hayward’s assertion is correct, then it’s not much they can do with the water. But getting back to the issue, if it was really about tourism and the good of Bermuda, then what we should be discussing is the building of 70 hotel rooms which, imho, would be less controversial. To build more homes, which has less to do with tourism, and sell them off is a betrayal to the original owners and their descendants.
I am AGAINST THE SDO….No spin at this point makes any difference^^
Were any employees let go when Newstead/Belmont Hill went into receivership recently? No they were not. The present employees are needed to continue the running of the hotel. It is not going to just shut its doors! Any potential receivers for this property will find a new owner and sell it at the best offer made. You are swallowing hook, line and sinker the ‘spin’ being offered by the President of Tucker’s Point.
Giving up our scarce resources and land to bail out a failed residential development is not the answer to Bermuda’s tourism woes.
Just looked at the Rosewood website . . . and have a read below
“Core Values
We respect our guests, employees and owners.
We deliver exceptional service to our guests.
We encourage every individual’s contributions and personal growth.
We honor diversity.
We foster work environments that provide personal pride through job satisfaction and a balanced life.
We embrace the environment and surroundings.
We promote open communications, innovation and creativity.
Do the Right Thing.”
I don’t think Tucker’s Point Resort/Bda Properties Ltd. is living by the Rosewood CORE VALUES, . . . “We embrace the environment and surroundings” . . . do you?
What happened to Sonesta Beach Hotel’s and Holiday Inn’s developments??
I propose that these be taken over as temporary national parks so we can fly our kites safely on Good Friday and set up our tents on summer weekends.
Maybe this can be our new tourism outlet— “Camping in Beautiful Bermuda”!! Rent your tent & fixins until the hotel gets built. Government can collect the fees, Parks Dept could expand to employ all the hustle-truck folks, and the campers can get some daily Bermudian hospitality!
Now there’s a good idea for a protest – hundreds of Bermudians camping on the threatened land!
Great idea.
The finances issues here are about rescheduling asset to debt ratios, about postponement of the crunch. Debts mean future repayments, and that is what money *is* based on these days. If you want to know more about how economies really work, watch Paul Grignon’s excellent animated film Money as Debt out there on the web e.g. moneyasdebt.net
So this is, in more ways than one, about selling out the future, and cashing in on it now. For some.
“land will be conveyed to the Bermuda Government for conservation management purposes ”
To the Bermuda Government… Now there is a responsible group…
Does anyone trust the Government and their handling of green space?
I had predicted that Tucker’s Point would make a concession on the deal and ‘give’ Bermuda back some of the lots that they claimed they were going to develop. The truth is that what they are ‘giving back’ (including the polluted lake) could not have been developed anyway. Nothing but an empty gesture.
Perhaps the support by the PLP and seniors at HSBC is to have these additional 78 residences built so that when the whole thing goes belly-up there will be nice homes for them all to move into! Just a hunch!
And now, at this late stage? I truly hope that the majority of Bermudians are smarter than this.
“The reforestation programme will include the planting and preservation of endemic, native and ornamental plants such as Cedars, Palmetto, fiddlewood and Olivewood”
Another fine example that these guys don’t know what they are talking about – Fiddlewood is an invasive tree!!!