Weeks: ‘All The Danger Seems To Have Faded’
[Updated with OBA response] “The One Bermuda Alliance has once again been exposed misleading the people of Bermuda in regards to the Grand Atlantic project,” Opposition MP Michael Weeks said today.
“The OBA put political gain over people, by misleading, and possibly deceiving Bermudians, away from purchasing units at Grand Atlantic,” said Mr. Weeks.
“Now as they seek to sell off this government asset, all of the danger the OBA warned about at the cliff-side on this property, seems to have faded.”
The photo below, courtesy of Todd Martin, shows the condos from the waterside, click to enlarge:
The Grand Atlantic property was planned by the previous administration as a housing development, with the listed prices for the 78 units ranging from $495,000 – $665,000.
Only one unit sold in the first six months, and late last year new administration decided to solicit [PDF] requests for information from investors and potential buyers — local and international — for the 78-unit property.
Mr. Weeks’ full statement is below:
The One Bermuda Alliance has once again been exposed misleading the people of Bermuda in regards to The Grand Atlantic project. Despite the claims of Deputy Premier Michael Dunkley, the facts are that OBA candidates engaged in a pre-election scaremongering campaign surrounding this housing project.
The OBA put political gain over people, by misleading, and possibly deceiving Bermudians, away from purchasing units at Grand Atlantic. Now as they seek to sell off this government asset, all of the danger the OBA warned about at the cliff-side on this property, seems to have faded.
Here’s what the OBA had to say about Grand Atlantic pre-election:
- “Anyone who buys this (GA) has put a gun to their head. They will never see their money back. This is the worst form of investment.”
- “Do we need to see the first one collapse into the water before someone says Oops”
- “Someone should be arrested for this debacle” – OBA Senator Nalton Brangman March 19, 2012
- “I knew it was a disaster in the making..nothing good will come out of this”- OBA MP Sylvan Richards March 19, 2012
- “Well, as it is built, we need to find a way of putting some Lipstick on this pig!”- OBA candidate Ray Charlton March 21, 2012
What a difference an election makes
The Grand Atlantic was conceived in 2007, when the average housing prices for Bermudians were starting at 1 million dollars. It was to mirror the Loughlands Project which was over-subscribed.
These are pertinent questions that Minister Wayne Scott needs to answer
- Is the OBA now telling potential investors that this structure is completely safe?
- If so does this now impact the negative stance of Stuart Hayward and BEST?
- Will this project now be sold due to recent amendments in the Companies Act to allow for Exempt companies to purchase property?
The OBA has a habit of ducking questions and avoiding dealing with Bermudians’ concerns. One thing they cannot do however is to run from the truth.
Bermudians need to come first in jobs, opportunity and respect in our country. That is not happening with an OBA that is prepared to repeatedly mislead Bermudians.
Update 5.09pm: OBA Chairman Thad Hollis said, “The Grand Atlantic project was conceived, funded and built by the Progressive Labour Party Government to the tune of $45 million.
“It had major issues, as all Bermudians know, which was the reason that the PLP government only ever managed to sell one unit.
“The difference between the approach of the PLP government when they were in power and that of the present government is that we are not trying to fool anyone into thinking there are no problems with the development.
“Yes, the government is trying to sell the Grand Atlantic project, but any buyer the government negotiates with will know up front what the problems are, and will take responsibility for dealing with those problems.
“I have no doubt that when there is something to report on that front, the Minister of Works will let us all know.”
LOL
So now the Grand Atlantic is not the PLP’s fault…all OBA huh?
PLEASE!!!!
Make me holla.
The danger hasn’t faded as far as I am concerned. I wouldn’t live there if you paid me to. Let’s just wait and see what happens when the next hurricane hits.
These are pertinent questions that Minister Wayne Scott needs to answer:
These are key Questions that must be answered. After all the OBAubp made this property out to be extremely at risk, and persuaded Bermudians NOT to BUY them. While it seem to be nothing more than election ploy, many fell for it.
If these properties were so much a Risk and a bad investment for Bermudians, why is the government now attempting to sell them off to the highest non-Bermudian bidder? After all government has done nothing to change the Risk factors of the property that they made such a strong case of pre-election.
What makes them safe or okay now? It was sad that too many Bermudians fell for the pre-election rhetoric and spin put out there pre-election, as many lost out on a great opportunity to get a first time piece of property or a piece of the rock, as a possible starter home. Many will never likely get another opportunity at an affordable price rate.
So what we may see is NON-Bermudian ownership of great water view property, which puts Bermudians out of the running. Hey, may be that was the goal of the government to begin with.
1. Is the OBA now telling potential investors that this structure is completely safe?
2. If so does this now impact the negative stance of Stuart Hayward and BEST?
3. Will this project now be sold due to recent amendments in the Companies Act to allow for Exempt companies to purchase property?
If these properties were so much a Risk and a bad investment for Bermudians, why is the government now attempting to sell them off to the highest non-Bermudian bidder?
“Well, as it is built, we need to find a way of putting some Lipstick on this pig!”- OBA candidate Ray Charlton March 21, 2012
This should answer your question about the Grand Turd that is the Grand Monument to the PLP’s utter failure.
well go buy a unit then!!
Bermudian Opportunity Lost is merely an alter ego of Betty Trump aka the PLP. The posting style is so transparent but keep it going, it provides amusement and a good insight into the thinking at Alaska Hall.
JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS
There were 8 MORE buyers who the OBA turned away so that they could sell this property to the highest bidder!
And 8 buyers would still not make the money back. It really would no take a difference.
The best move is to sell the entire lot. The OBA is right.
By buyers I mean BERMUDIANS looking to buy a house.
Do you no see the big picture??? 8 more is what you suggest were going to buy, so how many more years do you want the units to be empty and deteriorating before they all sell? 5 years? 10 years?
If someone is willing to buy them knowing the potential risks, well that is on them.
The Laughlands project was a good PLP idea. Grand Atlantic was a stupid move.
Would you have preferred they were sold to the lowest bidder? What would Weeks have whined about then?
Oh Mr Weeks…Kindly go sit in the corner facing the wall…
Let it go Mr. Weeks.
What goes up-must come down.
I’ll get back.
Do we really have to remind the plp that only one sold??? I swear the plp spends their days trying to come up with nonsense that is even bigger nonsense from what they said the day before, pretty sad really!!!! They built these over priced ugly ducklings after they were repeatedly told the housing market ( values ) was falling and they carried on in their usual NOT listening way!!! What else is the OBA supposed to do know with them weeks??? As usual, this is nothing more than the usual hot air BS spewing from their mouths with as usual no solutions themselves for the disaster they created!!! Just think how many poor and suffering people that could be helped now with that money!!!!p
The PLP are best to shut up about anything to so with the Grand Atlantic Development. It only reminds us again how very wrong they got it. All the OBA are trying to do is create lemonade out of lemons.
yes, a usual we produce the lemons and they benefit! although I was not in favor of this plp project because a derth of housing versus a lack of jobs was not going to equate to a benefit especially when we viewed the trend at that time,and what should have been done to provide security for Bemurdians was not done..i.e. job security over foreign workers, minimum wage should have been inacted to protect Bermudians under a labor government ect.. however the OBA are now seeking to reap benefits from a project that they called a pig needing some red lipstick!!!How insulting mr. charlton!!!I know exactly where you’re going with that statment, straight to the pigs!! the greedy pigs who will be convinced that it is a good buy, but who will rent, if they are turning people away, prolly trying to turn it into a cheap college kids resort!, wouldn’t the area still pose the same danger?no matter who buys it, or was it just lying in the form of political electionaring
Mr Weeks do you really believe this is an “asset”?…seriously.?
Of course he does not! If he or ANYONE that is a PLP member felt that way, they would have purchased them to make a point.
How may of you bloggers, supporters and PLP faithful purchased one?
When it comes to the Grand Atlantic, the PLP would be best off saying nothing.
The words epic fail spring to mind.
How is this the OBA’s fault when it was developed under the previous government? PS I wouldn’t live there, look at that cliff!
Totally agree with Ray Charlton although to be honest, its gonna take more than lipstick!
From READING the article I don’t believe Mr. Weeks is saying this development is the OBA’s fault. Nor is HE saying the danger has faded. He is making reference to the fact that now that OBA is in power they dont’ seem to have any issues with selling the properties off. Which is a 180 from what they were saying Pre-Election….which is that they are dangerous. People lets read the articles carefully first before commenting please.
I believe the many posters before this have a problem with logical questions that any prudent person will ask. Yes, we are very aware that the housing complex was commissioned to be built by the then ruling party and was bombarded by evironmentalists (BEST) and the then opposition, even going as far as spending money to do private assessments of the cliff side and the erosion potential. The critics cried foul over the potential occupancy of these units. As per the MPs questions, these fears have somehow been brushed aside and the current government are trying to offload these homes on unsuspecting investors. More questions should be asked. One of which would be are these dangers being exposed to these potential owners and if these dangers are real are we then liable for any injury or loss of life that may occur. These are real questions that any prudent person would expect answered. I hear in other stories on this outlet and others about our spiraling debt but consider this, what price would pay if this cliff face falls and there are casualties especially on an international level.
Scroll up and look at the OBA update on the matter. Nobody has changed their minds on the issues that property presents.
Thank you for pointing out the update @jimjones it was not there when I initially posted my comment. I do note Mr Hollis response and draw particular interest to the statement that all information is being disclosed and that the government will be responsible for remedying any issues in the negotiation of the sale. My next questions as a prudent person would be (1) is this the official statement from the government (2) how will the government fund this bettermentas my understanding is the govt is low on funds for capital projects? (3) if the govt is prepared to remedy the issues for foreign investors or corporations why wouldn’t they do the repairs and encourage locals to buy the properties instead?
I understood the statement to mean that the buyer will be responsible for any remediation.
Having seen that cliff-face up close from the water last summer, I suspect there would be considerable work needed.
Who said each of those things WEEKS ..Come on, otherwise you are just MAKING IT UP !!!!!!
Weeks making something up…why does that sound so familiar
The ones credited seem reasonable, but why didn’t you credit the other ones ? did you make them up?
As they say ‘BINGO’
I was wondering if anyone else was going to pick up on that.
BEST’s concerns were well founded and I concur with them but they’re not the OBA.
Can anyone ,anywhere , find direct quotes from the OBA saying these units were dangerous and not to buy them ?
If anything the OBA made it clear that in light of the seriously (and still) declining real estate market these things would never sell.
All of the slams I saw this project getting saying they were dangerous were from on line commentors on websites like this.
Again , that is not ‘the OBA’ just critical thinkers expressing their opinions.
The first two quotes that Weeks states above are completely groundless as far as trying to pin them on the current government.
They would sell for the right price!
WEEKS, Let the men & women of the govt. do their work and you go and take a long walk on a short pier. The PLP / BIU have put is in this bind and we will not forget it.
Me thinks you need to stop while you are ahead remember when you point finger just as many are pointing back at you For what your party did and has done to this Island – cover ups, foolish spending and all the rest. Hinging on the pant cuff of serious repetition Mr. Weeks.
I think the point of the article is that the OBA used this development as a ploy in the build up to the last election by suggesting that the units would fall off the cliff and into the ocean. Fast forward to present day and the OBA is trying to promote the sale of these buildings on the premise that there are no structural issues with them. Go figure. And some of you OBA fans want to blame the PLP because they are highlighting the hypocrisy/ Get over your bias. I am not part of the PLP fan club but it does seem to me that the OBA have proven to be a fraud and more inept in the last 15 months than what we saw over the last 15 years.
What the hell do you expect the OBA to do with this mess created by your government. They are trying to find a solution to this debauchery, you don’t see Mr. ” we have investors lining up” helping to get these places sold, if anything, he is helping to regenerate the negativity. Buyers are well aware of the risks and it will take a miracle to sell them. At lease the OBA are trying.
On top of that James,(P.L.P. reps.)if all the investors are from somewhere else and not Bermuda, then the money they spend on these units will,(without any doubt) help out our economy? Commonsense aren’t always too common mate
Good to see I have an equal amount of likes and dislikes. Folks are getting involved. Weeks should just keep his mouth shut and hope the voters would forget what he helped to create. But no, he has to keep putting his foot in it!
You’ve been suckered again by “I have 100 buyers lined up” Weeks. You must enjoy it.
Seriously though….it should have syed a tasteful cottage colony,it is a great deal of weight for saturated stone shaled at a 45°angle landward and down….it comes off in big chunks…..everyone in this neighborhood knows this Mr. Weeks.but if you are so inclined buy one.Think about that next time you and yours build fugly up here inGods’country!
so who is you and yours?
I love how the racist cant help but come out in the ubp/oba
I didn’t realize that for years I was being racist when I would say to people ‘ Merry Christmas to you and yours ‘
The people now have a clearer vision of how the OBA /UBP intends to govern .
This is “we have 100 interested buyers” Weeks.
The project was a complete and utter failure from start to finish. Suck it up.
Vhen it happns…it’ll be after a three or ten day rain….I do pray I am incorrect….in this way I can leave it in Gods’ hands….if anyone could extend that kind of faith hope and charity….at one time to that extent…with assured results you could bank on….that would be the route to go.What will it be…pay to the bearer …or…in God we trust?
I think you all should shut up..stop wasting your time on bernews commenting on stuff you have no idea about and do something productive
Says the guy wasting his time commenting on Bernews.
Reality is the potential buyers/developers of this property are not naive individuals. They are (hopefully) savvy commercial entities that are quite capable of assessing the risks involved and are well aware of what the implications of any adverse scenario. I’m sure they’ve modeled the financial impact of the cliff collapsing in a few years and decided that, if it happens, they’ll have recouped their investment before it happens.
Otherwise, the poor schmuck of an individual that purchased a unit on a long term mortgage is completely effed
I guess Weeks has not seen the photograph. The danger has gone away has it. LOOK at those cliffs. All recent erosion. Not a bit of grey weathered rock anywhere.
This is another FAIL from Mr. Weeks.
Oh come on PLP, your dumb statement makes no sense. What are the OBA to do with your expensive mess? Let 45 mil go down the toilet? Duh. This is why they are trying to find someone to take on the mess and clean it up, ie maybe knock down a building or two too close to water or shore up the cliffs.
The FACT is the PLP nor the OBA could not sell these units for the simple fact NOBODY’S GOT MONEY and de banks ain’t lending. They would need to lower the $665K ones to 500k to sell and the 450k ones to 300k- going price today for a one bed and there goes millions if taxpayer money down the toilet with this stupid monstrosity. Dr B could have taken the 45 mil and given 45 of us Bermudians unable to get on prop ladder a $250k downpayment and we’d a spent far less for SOMETHING. So go find another cause Weeks that actually makes sense.
Better off to let expat workers live here as NO Bermudian wants these cliffhanger boxes with no outdoor space to live in
Ps once ya put your barbecue on the tiny balcony it’s full and don’t be be putting clothes out there to dry ,just one chair so you can listen to your neighbours above or below you partying or possibly getting drunk to numb the pain of their bad investment .
And PS 45 million would have paid a lot of folks out of work
Mr. Weeks quotes five statements and links three to OBA politicians. Fair enough, but why aren’t the first two linked? Perhaps because they weren’t from OBA politicians? Of course, any comment from anyone who disagrees with the PLP has to be OBA.
And even the quotes attributed to OBA politicians say nothing about the purported “danger” that Weeks talks about. They just talk about what a debacle the whole thing was. And Weeks himself was right in the middle of it.
The airport; various departments of the government; making it easy for foreigners to buy up Bermuda’s scare land and what housing stock that will be sold to the highest bidder. Even after the people of Bermuda get rid of this anti-Bermudian one term OBA government; they would have create enough facts on the ground that it will take generations of unborn Bermudians to regain their country. This government has taken a page right out of the play book of what the state of Israel is doing for the prospect of the creation of a Palestinian state. Creating facts on the ground which will ensure continue conflict for years to come.
But Alvin, who created such a debt,and a flight of human and financial capital, that the OBA has to take drastic measures? If the OBA are a one term Government (and I agree that is a possibility) it will be a tragedy for this country
Why is Thad hollis speaking for the OBA government??
Because Weeks hardly deserves an answer. Its cerainly not worth wasting too much time dealing with his drivel.
If the Oba are telling potential investors, etc. about the issues that arise than there should be nothing else to say.
Weeks go fishing.
as usual,the defunct plp talk utter rubbish!
All it needs is a nasty hurricane to hit and that cliff will go down with all that weight on it.
And the reefs…..and the old mermaids complex on south shore, but no one talks about them.
Well they weren’t built two years ago using public funds, were they.
Yea but the point is they have the same cliffs…where is the danger there?
I find it amazing that Weeks would even bring this PLP failure up lol.
‘Hey gang, look at this unsightly disaster we built and oh by the way lied to the Bermuda public saying that a hotel attachment would be built, we knew it never would as our ‘contractor’ of choice indicated so in the planning phase but it sounded good.’
It would be a good investment if the OBA literally gave this property away for free to a developer who would somehow reinforce the shore line and make use of it, to be honest it would be a good investment if the OBA tore this dump down so we could have a view of the south shore again as we drive by imo.
the sooner the government can unload this property the better, if a storm did knock it down at least a private company would be liable vs the government.
But I would like to thank Mr. Weeks for reminding us how worthless the former PLP government was, please keep doing it for the next four years so the voting choice will be even easier lol.
The problem is that even if there priced from $450,000 to $ 650,000 — only a few Bermudians can afford them now.
and noboby wants to take a chance on the Ghost town now. — who has the money!
I am so tired of both the PLP n the OBA. Everyday being forced to watch big overgrown children trying to run my island. Tired of all the insane people who come here n talk s@&$.
Just plain tired… I am with you 100%….. day in day out…….. same sh^t different day…… everytime a certain party is qestioned about something the other party supporters come up with the ‘o well so n so did this or that in the PAST…. For the love of Jesus can’t we all just get along……Our children are our future leaders but may heaven help us when we look at our supposed role models our current leaders.. smh…….. #kindergartengroupies
MP Weeks isn’t blaming the OBA for the project. Perhaps some of you lack comprehension skills. What MP Weeks is saying is that pre Dec 2012, the OBA had nothing good to say about the project. In actuality, there were stories about how it may fall off the cliff, comments about safety from OBA candidates, Stuart Hayward, David Wingate among others. Not only impugning the integrity of the PLP but also of the engineers and workers who spoke to its safety.
Now all of a sudden, when the OBA wants to offload the project, we no longer hear those comments.
MP Weeks’ comments are very valid. Was Grand Atlantic used for political point scoring or were the concerns valid? If the concerns were valid then, why are they not still valid now?
Clearly the concerns were valid.
The OBA is doing what they can to clear up the PLP’s mess.
They will not recover the $45 million the PLP paid, because these are damaged goods.
Mike wasn’t involved in the decision to build, he was just the fall guy brought in to offload them.
He was less than honest in not acknowledging the faults when he tried to sell them to Bermudians hoping to own their first home.
Another case of the PLP putting Party before people
Everday we see evidence of the partisan divide in this country which renders people unable to discuss any issue facing the country on its merits. I read above soneone questioned whether the statement issued is indeed the governments official stance. This is a very good question since Mr. Hollis is Not an elected official but is a party official. He speaks for teh party Not the government. There is a major difference since the government belongs to everyone regardless of which party they may have voted for.
Ok…….I want erryone loonk at de pitcha….see dose spaces below de grey?….Dat’s bloom sand!…er…loom sand….dats errosive at a quick glance…..it would only be a short mathematical equasion needed with the specific weather conditions …newly introduced weight+weight of water saturation -errosion underneath …psi air pressure holdind upward,place a piece of paper on a full glass of water turn glass of water upside down…water doesn’t poor out thing….unless you place more pressure on top,(to increase air or downward weight,),drill a hole in top of upside down glass ,a plastic glass…like rain saturated stone…..long story short….if an engineer couldn’t see this ask a physicist they facter in conditions and such.
Another case of the PLP rewriting history. At least they do their PR tho….
Ha,ha,ha,the PLP has the answers,ha,ha,ha!
Just knock them down and take the write off now before the cost of demolition goes up with inflation.Rid ourselves,the tax payer,of all future liability and constant maintenance expense to keep them habitable being totally exposed to the south shore elements.
Turn the area into another Astwood park,when the cliffs collapse,it will be vegetation going into the sea.
It can be saved. The cliff face.
One rock at a time.
Good luck south shoreup road.
The real truth is that the PLP, particularly Weeks, is scared to death that the OBA might solve this problem by selling or finding a use for property.
Weeks would rather stir up a sheitstorm about it, than to see it solved. He doesn’t care about Bermuda. He doesn’t want to see the OBA succeed where he failed.
I never hear people asking striking questions such as , who or what corporation deemed this property safe for the construction of this community..? If an Engineering firm gave the seal of approval to build, then hey..what’s the problem..? Now… on the occurrence that they collapse…you can always sue. It’s your choice pick one and move on…tired of hearing oba dis, plp dat, blah blah blah blah…
Aren’t there other South Shore hotels on the side of or edge of a cliff? For example the Reefs?
Why isn’t anyone concerned that the Reefs will topple into the ocean?
Yes, it is a private enterprise, but if the main issue is safety, surely we would look at all properties that are on the edge of a cliff.