OBA’s Robinson & Smith On Fairmont SDO
OBA Southampton MPs Dwayne Robinson and Linda Smith are calling on Government and Gencom to “provide specific details as to how the new Special Development Order [SDO] for the Fairmont Southampton Hotel, and its associated new residential developments, will affect existing residents’ properties and neighbourhoods.”
Ms Smith — the Shadow Minister for Public Works & Environment — said, “As far back as 2009, there have been many iterations of Special Development Orders [SDO’s] for the Fairmont Southampton Hotel. There have also been changes back and forth on the requirement for debate and approval by Parliament. Given the significance of this project to Bermuda, we believe that Government and Gencom should acknowledge an obligation to the community to be transparent and answer questions about the overall development.”
She continues: “We believe those questions should include financial justification for the scope of the residential component and the impact the current development plans will have on the quality of life for everyday residents to continue to enjoy Bermuda’s public South Shore Road, vistas and amenities.
“‘We recognise the need for additional development to enable acceptable rate of return on a hotel investment. However, what is not clear is how Government and the developer arrived at the conclusion that the current plan is reasonable and balances beneficial fairness to the community and the developer.”
Shadow Minister for Tourism & Transport, Dwayne Robinson, looks forward to seeing the hotel reopen, and said: “I want to be abundantly clear that the OBA supports the redevelopment of the Fairmont Southampton Hotel. We look forward to the day when this iconic property is back up and running.
“That said, it is difficult to feel the same about some of the residential plans. Not enough detailed meaningful information has been shared with the public, particularly the residents of Southampton who will be most affected by the construction, increased traffic, noise and loss of open spaces.”
Mr Robinson added, “We believe that the lack of details shared with the public effectively fails to provide the community with a clear understanding as to what has been agreed and at what cost to Bermuda and the local Southampton community. I am also uncertain whether or not Bermudians will be able to afford the residential units.”
The spokesperson said, “Both MPs are calling on Government and the developers to engage residents of Southampton in an open forum.”
“Our constituents in Southampton East Central and Southampton West Central will be most affected by the residential developments covered under the Fairmont Southampton SDO. It is certainly reasonable for them to want to clearly understand what is being planned and how it will change the view from their backyards and the living conditions in their immediate neighbourhoods,” Ms Smith concludes.
I appreciate the work of the current Government to secure the contract with Gencom as well as provide a “private residence” component that is typical no days justify a return on investment.
I also appreciate the OBA s concerns for neighbors property and the financial effects on value. A cursory low cost study / communication may be a good route, but a long costly “study” would hold up, what I believe is a very tight “open” target date for the hotel.
I believe that the “residences” will enhance the value of the property neighbors. I guess we can look at it from the other side as well, multi million dollar residences; will existing and future neighbors provide impact “studies” additions / changes to there properties in the future.
My concern for the Princess project – Does the Government have a representative monitoring the work WHO IS IT ? Where is there report – sign offs (THAT KNOWS CONSTRUCTION AND HOTEL DEVELOPMENT – NOT A CA,CPA ATTORNEY) and the draws. GOVERNMENT – IE BERMUDA – has backed this project and will be the big losers if it fails / defaults and the Constuction / development / sales – / draws does not equal the debt secured
I thank Gencom and the Government for backing this venture but lets make “ TRUST BUT VERIFY”
I would suggest a focus on BIG PICTURE what the “Government” REPRESENTATIVE” is signing off on – IS THERE ONE ? as far as the disbursements progress – rather than impact neighbor studies.
If the project fails – THE IMPACT BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT BACKING – will far exceed the suggested impact study of neighbors
Respectfully