Water Island development

We need all the development we can get. The more development, the more airlift, the more airlift, the more development. But lets get some development on STX too.

I saw that and wondered how Water Island residents felt about the rebuilding of the resort that was destroyed in 1989? Things have changed for WI in the 25 years since the hotel was destroyed. Will they welcome such a project with open arms?

Whatever happened to public hearings prior to the actual signing of these leases to see if these types of projects are wanted by the communities and infrastructure they will impact?

At least, it's not a maga marina and hotel but with WI being a small, tight knit community, it might have been nice to get their input considering that many make their livilhoods thru vacation villa rentals which this project will certainly impact.

It will be interesting to see if this project is welcomed by Water Island residents, unlike the community protests over Coral Bay's Summer's End Mega Marina Project and the ill concieved Mandahl Bay Mega Resort and Marina project whose principals,
Transcontinental Realty Investors (TCI) have been characterized as having:

"...ability to create the illusion of success and prosperity that deceived the investing public with a self-portrait of ever-increasing profits, assets and net worth," while being involved with "Bankruptcy fraud and Mortgage fraud for tens of millions of dollars along with having Multi-million dollar judgments including Foreclosures and Phony companies created to hide assets from creditors."

Governor Dejong has been one busy guy!

I guess lame ducks do all sorts of nefarious deeds. I'm not sure why we need 122 rooms on Water Island (and 35 villas), but there it is: http://stthomassource.com/content/news/local-news/2014/11/19/government-signs-water-island-hotel-lease

I wouldn't describe this as nefarious. Rebuilding on the site of the old Water Island hotel has been in the works for as long as I can remember and this appears to be a well thought-out mini development.

We need all the development we can get. The more development, the more airlift, the more airlift, the more development. But lets get some development on STX too.

How about PLANNED development? How about a land and water use plan? How about development that is the right size and scope for the area? I have no problems with St Croix having lots of development- high-rise hotels side by side, if you wish. NIMBY.

We'd be happy with one or two developments...you guys get all the good stuff.

If you think it's good, why are so many objecting to these projects?
You obviously don't know STT or STJ very well nor object to the criminal histories many of the principals of these projects have.

I can't answer why some people are objecting to these projects. However, isolated, closed economies like our islands need new development to bring in revenue and sustain growth. If you're not moving forward, you're slipping backwards. Look whats happened to St. Croix with no new developments in 40 years. There is a very obvious lack of commerce.

I agree but mega resort developments in completely unsuitable locations by entities that have a history of bank and mortgage fraud or absolutely no prior experience with questionable backgrounds and in some cases, criminal histories are not the answer.

We do need to have a better infrastructure, clean up our islands, protect our natural resources and environment, and reduce WAPA costs.

vicanuck: It is the size of the projects that I object to. A small, truly boutique hotel on Water Island is great. But 122 rooms and 35 new homes is a huge increase to a small area with very little infrastructure. Why is the governor signing all these contracts when he is on his way out in two months?

EE, I, too am wondering why he's signing, and since our newspapers are so limited in coverage, nobody is questioning and investigating.

Will he be consultant? Will Celestino White's company be involved? More contracts for J. Benton construction? Construction companies have been major campaign donors in the past (saw them listed on some website a few weeks ago).

Let's not forget contractors Alvin Williams Sr. and Frank James, who both had contracts with the Legislature and got immunity for testifying against "Lolo" Willis who was just found guilty. They'll be looking for jobs.