MARIGOT–The seven proprietors of the former “carbets” on Orient Beach have signed a petition expressing frustration at the Collectivité’s slow progress in the rebuilding plan compared to the attention given to Sindextour where two more of their “five-star” restaurants will be open before Christmas and the remaining two are to open in 2019.
The “carbets” – loosely translated as local-style informal beach grills – and small boutiques were all swept away during Hurricane Irma.
“Sindextour will have five restaurants on Orient Beach, occupying a space on parcel AW33 of 49,218.00 square metres,” the petition reads. “Their rent is180,000 euros annually to the Collectivité. One can calculate what they are paying per square metre.
“President Gibbs has met with the proprietors of Orient Village/Square as well as hoteliers and guesthouses in Orient Bay. But to this date, he has never felt the need at any time in the last 11 months to meet with the “carbet” proprietors who have been stuck in limbo for the last 14 months. We were first told at the beginning of the year that the Collectivité would rebuild, and about four months later that we would be responsible for rebuilding our own units.
“The area of the carbets, Parcel AW34, consists of 12,815.00 square metres. We were originally eight restaurants, four boutiques, several kiosks, and two water-sports. We have been going back and forth in the last six months because the Collectivité wanted to increase to nine restaurants and six boutiques, kiosks and two water-sports in the exact same space.
“We rejected this proposition because we were already in a highly competitive and tight-space situation with the original layout. It was inconceivable that the Collectivité would want to add additional businesses and yet base our rent on current tariffs for the public domain.
“For the main building we will be paying 25 euros per square metre; 7.25 euros per m2 for the covered terrace; five euros per m2 for uncovered terrace and one euro per m2 for area on the beach. So, whereas Sindextour has one rate (approx. 2.73 euros per m2) for all of its land area, we have four different rates for ours.
“We have done as directed and secured professional plans from Collectivité-certified architects; we have submitted innumerable documents related to securing our “permis de construire,” although most of us have gone through the same protocol with the previous government.
“We have even secured insurance for a building that is not yet constructed. And now we are told of another delay as the Collectivité is now launching the bid for the infrastructure to support septic, plumbing and electricity.
“We noted that all of these things were done after Sindextour had almost completed their first building. So, why are we not allowed to start the building process and then these lines can be run to the buildings afterwards? In fact, why hasn’t this been done already? The only thing accomplished on Parcel AW34 is that the Collectivité has removed the former foundations.
“And, of course, the season is about to begin. The biggest cruise ship will be docking in St. Maarten shortly and we, the locals, will almost certainly watch another season pass by.
“Vice-President Steven Patrick has been very supportive and voiced his determination to have all the restaurants on Orient Beach open at the same time. However, he is often off-island, and it is very apparent that his internal support, Romain Perreau, Directeur General Adjoint du Pole Developpement Durable, is running the show with his own set of directives. Our last meeting was held October 22, 2018, and we have had no correspondence since.
“We are certain that all the individuals connected with this project have been collecting a paycheque each month for the last 11 months. Consider that we also have family responsibilities and are looking at no income for God knows how long. Enough is enough.”
Responding to the complaint, Patrick said: “I agree that it is very frustrating for the stakeholders, but I do appreciate their cooperation and understanding. We are making progress, but it is much too slow for me too. We want to deliver a good product at a reasonable and affordable cost. The financial challenges of the Collectivité have complicated matters even more since Irma. The administrative process is overwhelming and at times redundant.
“The Sindextour group is an entirely private investment and their lease agreement is quite different from the carbets. Hence the handling is also different. My plan is to align the whole sector of Orient Bay to a common agreement in 2022 when Sindextour’s lease agreement expires.
“I have committed myself to this project to the end, as this area and that of the waterfront in Marigot are integral local investment areas and they must be re-established and viable. We are working together with stakeholders for delivery in January. The Collectivité is also working with local financial institutions to support our local investors in this project. We hope to finalise this soon.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/83016-ob-proprietors-frustrated-by-slow-progress-with-carbet-rebuilding
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