LONG ISLAND, The Bahamas – A $110-million development envisioned to be a resort and residential community with first class amenities and residential community, is planned for North Long Island, The Bahamas.
The British-based developers of the proposed Port St. George investment plan to use available land in the Stella Maris area for the construction of this project, which will include an 18-hole signature golf course and a marina.
Plans for this development were outlined to concerned Long Islanders at a town meeting at the government high school in Simms, on November 27, 2007.
The proposed developers also announced plans for another resort for the Stella Maris area – Caribbean Heights – which together with Port St. George will open opportunities for hundred of jobs both during the construction and post construction phases.
More than 400 persons packed the school’s auditorium and many more listened through open doors and windows. Many questions were asked on matters such as dredging, road elevation, antiquities, solid waste and the reconfiguration of the Queen’s Highway.
It appeared following the meeting that Long Islanders are satisfied that the marine resources are not comprised. They welcomed the development, which the investors assured would have a completion date in 2015.
Ian J. Moorcroft, a director of Port St George, said, “We are in the planning stages. We hope to get approval by next Easter.”
He told Long Islanders that the developers are hoping to break ground by the fall of 2008.
Keith A. Bishop of Islands By Design Ltd., said he has been engaged to do the environment impact assessment, and reported he saw a number of areas that needed redesign.
Government officials at the town meeting included the Hon. Earl Deveaux, Minister of Public Works and Transport; the Hon. Sidney Collie, Minister of Lands and Local Government; and the Hon. Lawrence Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources.
Also in attendance was a representative from the Bahamas Environment Science and Technology (BEST) Commission.
Minister Collie assured Long Islanders that “no significant investment” will come to these islands without The Bahamas Government coming directly to the people “and as clear and as concise as possible apprise the people of the proposed investment.”
He also assured residents that “before the first soil is turned and the first brick is laid you would know what is coming to your island and whether you welcome such investment.”
Minister Deveaux said the airport at Stella Maris is currently undergoing expansion and very soon work will begin to complete the terminal building and meet the International Civil Aviation standards for international security.
He said Long Island will shortly have an improved Stella Maris airport in the north to accommodate the proposed development.
Minister Deveaux emphasized that “it is not likely we will have enough space in the north to put a 7,000-ft. runway but we will accommodate short-haul aircraft. In the partnership that we seek to develop in Long Island, if you need a longer airport we will invite you to Deadman’s Cay.”
The Minister said the government intends to complete the dock in Long Island.
He added, “It is my duty to tell you that we have selected a spot in Long Island we feel could accommodate the year-round dockage, the low maintenance of the sand movement and deep water sheltered harbour. We are looking at the area where BEC (the Bahamas Electricity Corporation) currently is so we have room for long-term expansion.
“We will go to bids as soon as the designs are completed on that dock.”
The Works Minister told Long Islanders that as a result of the recent passage of Tropical Storm Noel, “we have had to re-prioritize our road infrastructure.”
Minister Deveaux indicated that Long Island was already high on the schedule for sea walls construction, repairs to the dock at Simms and additional infrastructure works.
He said the government now has before it a list of Family Island roads “so that we can make some choices in the sense that Cat Island, Long Island and Exuma had exceptionally high flooding and unexpected damage to their roads. We had to shift our priorities around so that we could accommodate repairs as a result of the flooding.”
Minister Cartwright, who is the parliamentary representative for Long Island, was pleased with the turnout at the meeting and the hard questions asked.
He thanked the investors for choosing Long Island for their proposed project.
“I believe that Port St. George will be something great for Long Island,” Minister Cartwright stated. “And, based on what I have heard over the last few weeks and the amount of excitement this has generated, I believe Long Islanders are now ready to accept Port St. George.
