BEST: Suspend Grand Atlantic Development
The Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce [BEST] has requested that the condo development at Grand Atlantic be suspended until the government informs the public about the financial, economic, social and environmental implications of this project.
The Grand Atlantic Development in Warwick will comprise of 60 two bedroom/one bathroom homes and 18 three bedroom/two bathroom homes. Prices range from $495,000 for a 2 bedroom home up to $665,000 for an ocean view 3 bedroom unit.
Minister of Public Works Michael Weeks announced that 100% financing will be offered to qualified first-time home purchasers of units at the Grand Atlantic Development in Warwick earlier this week.
““While the Government has appreciated the challenges in the mortgage market, we realize there is still need for innovative and flexible ways for those desirous of owning their own home to successfully achieve that dream,” said Minister Weeks.
Shadow Minister for Public Works Mark Pettingill said the Government-backed plan supporting 100% financing for the Grand Atlantic condos is “another example of a desperate government relying on everyday Bermudians to rescue it from its self-inflicted policy bungles,” while the UBP suggested government consider leasing the units for long-term tourist accommodation as an alternative to further saturating the real estate market.
Last year conservationist Dr David Wingate warned that the cliffs underneath the Grand Atlantic condos are eroding at the rate of 1 – 2 metres every decade.
BEST delivered a letter to the Cabinet Office this morning [Mar.15], asking that building at the Grand Atlantic site be suspended and a moratorium imposed on further housing development at the site until the people of Bermuda have answers to a variety of questions.
“This is a partnership in name only,” said the letter from BEST. “While the developer gets paid millions of dollars out of the public’s purse, the government in effect buys the units and has to then market, arrange financing and sell them.
“If they are to be sold at below market value, it is the public/taxpayer who will take the hit. While a compassionate community would support subsidies for hard-working, low-income first-time home buyers, it is an abuse of public largesse for the government to be either subsidizing speculative buying and selling of housing as happened at Loughlands, or acting in financial beneficence to enable existing home owners to “downsize” or “upgrade”.
“This is an inappropriate use of public funds, especially when funds for social programmes for seniors and needy families, and for public safety/policing are being cut.”
The letter from BEST is below, click ‘Fullscreen’ for greater clarity:
Fair points.
White supremacy is the belief, and promotion of the belief, that white people are superior to people of other racial backgrounds. The term is sometimes used specifically to describe a political ideology that advocates the social, political, historical and/or industrial dominance by whites.[1] White supremacy, as with racial supremacism in general, is rooted in ethnocentrism and a desire for hegemony and power, [2] and has frequently resulted in violence against non-whites. Different forms of white supremacy have different conceptions of who is considered white, and not all white supremacist organizations agree on who is their greatest enemy.
HELLO MR MAD DOG, My name is Barak Ohbomber and my mother is a light cream color and dad was a darker brown. I never got DNA results but I’m wondering if you can help as to my race and if it is o.k. to hold so much power being A.at least half dark skinned
B. at least half light creamylike
I read your treatise and feel mightily confused, not just for myself but also for my daughters.
Maddog, what does any of that have to with a building falling off a cliff? Or for that matter a country?
First rule of holes.
Thank you, BEST.
Guess you went to your brother and asked him how he can interfer into the project, instead of looking for workable solutions.
What a sad state of affairs…levelling a personal innuendo against a fellow blogger instead of confronting the very Bermudian Government that has caused the blatant foolishness. Providing workable solutions would be helpful. And, yes, I have a workable solution: GET RID OF THE PLP.
“Inconvenience truth”, and “Selected Visual Memory”……Personal Innuendos are the trade mark of the bloggers that support the OBA/UBP, maybe you need to go back and re-read many of their comments, and I am sure they far outweigh anything I add to the conversation. Hey, just read the ones on this blog, not very nice, and seldom are they. Look and read carefully, after this is posted many examples will follow………
What are yopu talking about? Why don’t you provide some solutions?
Instead of your normal criticism, please tell us your ideas for workable solutions.
@ SG4U: Guess it distresses you that I am not the only one who thinks this way. You see, some of us think for ourselves, (though that might be a novel concept to you) even when our thoughts are on the same wavelength.
That being said, seems to me a moratorium on building IS a workable solution. In fact it is the only thing that makes any sense at all at this time.
We haven’t sold any units on the existing development, and plan to start pouring foundation for another 60 units in phase 2, using funds that we dont have, being that demand for affordalble housing is so high, even at 100% financing…..
Oh no.. let me go wipe that dirt I see on the wheels of my BMW 725..
Amateur hour is still going.
Rent them as short term tourist apartments. The answer is obvious but invisible to our blind Government.
Too bad its not a government project….
I don’t understand what people are missing. It can’t be suspended, that’s the f-ed up thing.
If it could have been stopped, would have been stopped long time.
Voice of Reason, You DO realize it was the PLP that GAVE Mr. Lopes permission to build on that PROTECTED land right? So who’s fault is it? Not Gilbert Lopes but THE GOVERNMENT. Please explain why you can’t grasp that. This should have never been, period. We are in a recession, only idiots build in a recession hoping for a miracle. So does this make Gilbert Lopes a bad business man? Yes it does. But is he responsible for doing what he was given permission to do? No the PLP is responsible. Not to mention THE TAXPAYER is buying these units FROM GILBERT so the government most certainly is responsible don’t be so damn naive son. Question everything. This is such a dirty deal that I’m afraid we will be shocked when we find out what is really going on.
WOW hurricane season is coming and from the look at this picture they have a front seat. WOW
They should suspend the next phases. Plant grass and some trees and turn the spot into a park. The value of the existing Condos will go up just because of having some space around them. A win win for all and certainly a best case scenario.
That is just too good of an idea for the PLP. They are only in the business of bad ideas.
Finish the buildings they have already started and stop. Wait until they are sold, then decide whether or not more are needed.
Whoa!!!! Don’t confuse the builder/contractor with the developer. Not the same person/persons in this case.
The PLP comes along & says they want to build these things i.e. the PLP Government is the developer.
Gilbert Lopes, being a whole lot smarter & business savy than the whole of the PLPs best brains together, gets the contract to build, making sure that he gets paid no matter what. Good business on his part. He is not there for love or votes.
Now there is talk of stopping the project, after Gilbert Lopes has committed his recourses in time & money to build the whole thing.
Guess what folks….there are penalties to pay for broken contracts. Gilbert Lopes is not the BIU which does whatever it pleases contrat or not.
This was a bad idea from day one. Guess who pays? Not the PLP Government that signed on the dotted line. No, not them. Just add it to the nearing $2B debt pile that the PLP has run up in the past few years.
How does it get paid for? Who knows? Who cares?
Bearing in mind the worthless contract that was written for for Faith Based Tourism, except to Andre Curtis personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if the contract for these condos is for a certain contract price, regardless of whether they are built or not. In other words the developer will be paid in full for all the units even if they’re not built. As this is taxpayers money, let’s have the contract published.
Correction – “developer” should read “contractor”.
Well….we all know the PLP doesn’t have a clue. Everything they try to do ends up being some sort of fiasco. The people of bermuda must be so tired of the sIllly mistakes and lack of insight and forward planning of this party. The architect of this project should be fired for drawing up such ugly plans. The flipPLoP must take the blame – once again – for allowing such a monstrosity of a project to ruin and create such a concrete jungle in what was one of the most beautiful areas of the island. How long will the people of bermuda allow such incompetence to continue by this flipflop government? The people of Bermuda must demand better! The PLP MOST BE VOTED OUT AS A GOVERNMENT.
“If you build it they will come”
Who? Squatters?
If I were part of the Grand Atlantic Group and came to Bermuda and saw this embarrassing eyesore I would have my brand name removed from this project! Once again we have been embarrassed by this PLP government!
Cancer, it is all about money !!! the likes of De Silva,Correia and Lopes, they have gouged this Island !!! and have homes all over the world that they can go to when Bermuda hits rock bottom !!! but we lot have no where to go but go down with the sinking ship….
Why are we letting these people to get away with with this shit ?
PLoP PLoP is the sound they make when they fall into the ocean. PLoP PLoP *flush* is the sound of the Pee el Pee taking us down the toilet.
Hilarious and scary at the same time… Where is that election, please hurry!
Mr. Lopes will have taken care of any suspension in the terms (no fault to him). It’ll be a loss whatever the decision.
I still wonder why Lopes took on this project !!!does he not care how horrible these condos look ? I know it is all about money..but this development looks like the projects housing in New Jersey !!!!
Likely because he saw some soft money. He’s not stupid.
Why blame the builder? It’s the government that did this: set it up, bought the land, paid for it all. Lopes just happens to be the builder.
He doesn’t just happen to be the builder. He CHOSE to be the builder. He should have some responsibility in this. It is called being a good citizen.
Were there ‘open bids’ for building this tasteless monstrosity…?
Good question.
Fail.
It appears unlikely that the Govt can stop this project as they are probably locked into a legally binding contract with the developer. Just another example of poor management from our current Govt..
It’s a shame that stupidity can’t be converted into a usable energy source.
Great shame, as Bermuda would not only be self reliant on energy but would be exporting it.
Disband current Government all contracts null and void.
Bermuda can start saving tax revenue, build up their current account and tackle the budget deficit.Otherwise Bermuda will be following Greece in regards to the economy.Greece has the rest of Europe to bail them out,Bermuda has no one.
Sorry to cut and paste, but I did not want to leave out any of the new Hotel rooms that where built in 2011!
From October 26th 2010
http://bernews.com/2010/10/2-2-billion-hotel-development-over-10-years/
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$2.2 Billion In Hotel Development
October 26, 2010 · 9 Comments
Premier and Minister of Tourism Dr Ewart Brown held a press conference today [Oct 26] to address the Tourism third quarter. One of the things he addressed was hotel development saying there is “approximately $2.2 billion earmarked for hotel development on the island for the next 10 years”.
The Premier continued on to say that “despite the worldwide economic downturn, it hasn’t deterred investors from demonstrating continued confidence in the Bermuda product,” and that as he prepares to finish his term as Premier he is “pleased to leave a number of hotel development projects in the pipeline.”
Hotel Developments the Premier listed include:
Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa, the first luxury hotel to be built in Bermuda in more than 35 years, has entered into a Letter of Intent for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to become the property’s operator.
Last week I announced that the Park Hyatt Hotel in St George’s is set to break ground in 2011 and we are elated.
The 9 Beaches resort is also scheduled to reopen in 2011, with the first phase of its development complete. This will include upgrades to 49 existing cabanas, development of 12 studio units and 8 two-bedroom villas. There will also be a new restaurant, swimming pool, offices, access road and staff accommodations. Phases two to four of this project are expected to span a two-year period and will include 120 leaseback units.
The Par-la-ville Hotel and Residences will be developed under the Starwood flag in Hamilton. It will include 140 guest rooms and suites, and 80 residences. There will also be two restaurants, a spa, wine bar and library. The developers are presently working to extend their exclusivity agreement with the Corporation of Hamilton. The project is expected to provide numerous benefits to the city of Hamilton, and Bermuda in general.
The redevelopment plans on the Coral Beach and Horizons site continue as the new Four Seasons Resort. Construction is expected to commence also in the fall 2011. This property is expected to have 150 hotel rooms as well as 80 fractional units. The existing clubhouse and tennis facilities will also be upgraded.
We are now in the final stages of the legal exchange of land between government and the developers of Morgan’s Point and Southlands. The site will be developed in phases, which includes an 80 room Boutique Hotel and 262 adjacent condominiums. There will also be a further 325 room Luxury Hotel and additional fractional units. An 18-hole Trophy Golf Course and Clubhouse will also be built.
In an effort to add to the amenities available for our visitors and locals alike, a proposal has been made by a Bermudian company to construct a themed water park on a portion of the land remaining at Morgan’s Point. These are early days but the preliminary designs are exciting.
Lantana is being redeveloped as a cottage colony with one, two, three and four bedroom suites. There will be between 80 and 100 units. Construction begins in February 2011 and will be managed by Moongate Resorts.
The Coco Reef Villas, a 66 unit lease back facility has been approved for construction.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the Grand Atlantic Resort was held July 2010. The resort will consist of 84 guest suites, restaurant, bar, pool, spa, conference facilities and beach club. Also 125 new affordable homes will also be constructed on the site.
Development plans are also in progress for Munro Cottages, slated to be 26 two-bedroom hotel suites. The facility also includes a pool, restaurant, beach and sunbathing decks.
Thanks for posting that. Shows what a dissembling toad that guy was.
SpecialGirl and LaVerne will probably come on there and say he was “misconstrued”.
Furbert, by the way, said yesterday that the ‘major luxury hotel announcement for 2012′, which Cox boasted about in the budget 2 weeks ago, is now planned for 2013.
They wouldn’t know the truth if it hit them in the face with a fish.
@ EXPress,
This article is a real collectors item, along with the You Tube videos starring the Furberts.
Public trust in Government has clearly collapsed, there is no confidence for decisions to be made for the common good.
Polarized politics with the three tribes in the ring.
One can see by the overwhelming comments on RG as well as here that a lot more than 60% of respondents agree on the present situation and the short term emergency remedy.
I would say to all the right thinking patriots out there, your day is coming…in the form of the oh so much anticipated PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION law later this year(yeah I know, we’ll see what obstruction they put up to delay this baby) but you will all have the right to find out where the $1,300,000,000 went and my guess is you wont be surprised or disappointed,- well you will be disappointed of course but let’s get that fund started to cover the investigative professionals who will dig deep and dig thoroughly. Bets the PLP will only want to dig into pre 1998! which didn’t turn out so well in the most recent claim on Global House purchase!
Unless Govt reforms its costs, the BD$ will slip away from the US$. One day a taxi driver will say “It’s $80 to Somerset or $65 US. This is not a mature economy. Govt is the main expense and we have one and one half lines of business. I feel like a Panda bear is driving the jumbo jet.
I’m just wondering how much the sea wall at this development will cost to be maintained and who will be responsible for the cost of maintenance? Is that the developer’s responsibility or the Governments? One would presume that the cost will eventually become the responsibility of the owners…..but how does that work when all the units haven’t sold yet?
EXPress according to that dialog were doing very well… Excellent in fact! People of Bermuda aren’t you tired of being lied too??? “we had to deceive you” really rings a bell! And the saga continues….
Specialgirl and Laverne have not been posting here recently. They probably were getting to much push back from their silly remarks and statements they were making I sorta miss them really! Lol !
@ Cancer: No, they are off bashing Kevin Comeau and making veiled threats about his permanent residency status.