North Long Island: A Dream Destination in The Bahamas
$110 Million Investment Poised for North Long Island
LONG ISLAND, The Bahamas – A $110-million project is planned for North Long Island, The Bahamas. It will be a resort and residential community. The development will offer first-class amenities for residents and visitors.
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.
New Resort in Stella Maris
The developers announced plans for a new resort in the Stella Maris area called Caribbean Heights. This resort, along with Port St. George, will create hundreds of jobs. These jobs will be available during and after construction.
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 from Islands By Design Ltd. said he is working on the environmental impact assessment. He noticed several areas that need redesign.
At the town meeting, government officials included Hon. Earl Deveaux, Minister of Public Works and Transport. Hon. Sidney Collie, Minister of Lands and Local Government, was also present. Hon. Lawrence Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, attended as well.
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 told the residents that they will be informed before any construction begins. They will know what is planned for their island. He also mentioned that they can decide if they want this investment.
Stella Maris Airport Expansion
Minister Deveaux said the airport at Stella Maris is expanding. Soon, work will start to finish the terminal building. This will help meet the International Civil Aviation standards for 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.”
New Dock in North Long Island
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 said that Long Island was already a top priority for building sea walls. Repairs to the dock at Simms and other infrastructure projects are also planned.
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, the parliamentary representative for Long Island, was happy with the turnout at the meeting. He appreciated the tough questions that were 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.
