GREAT BAY--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs has rejected participating in any master plan discussions with Sun Resorts concerning Mullet Bay, saying such talks could undermine St. Maarten’s right of first refusal in the property. She also stated firmly that, based on the information available to her, Mullet Bay has not been sold.
Speaking on radio Friday morning on The Breakfast Lounge with Lady Grace, Gumbs disclosed that Sun Resorts approached her last year about whether she and the Government of St. Maarten would participate in discussions surrounding a possible master plan for Mullet Bay. Her response, she said, was no.
Gumbs said her position is directly tied to the right of first refusal that she insisted be included as part of the arrangements surrounding the ENNIA resolution.
“Because if I have first rights of refusal, and I go and I sit with you now to discuss a possible master plan, then that throws my first rights of refusal out of the door,” Gumbs said.
She went further, making clear that she does not intend to participate in such discussions.
“You will never hear me, see me sitting down with Sun Resorts on a master plan discussion. I’m not doing that.”
Sun Resorts publicly announced in June that it had begun a Mullet Bay master plan process aimed at developing a structured vision for the future of the area.
Gumbs also addressed recurring public discussion suggesting that Mullet Bay has already been sold.
“I just want to state for the record, based on the knowledge that I have, based on what was presented to me, Mullet Bay is owned by Sun Resorts,” she said. “Mullet Bay is owned by Sun Resorts.”
She then made her position on the status of the property clear, saying, “Mullet Bay, according to me, is not sold.”
Gumbs said that if information exists showing that a sale has already taken place, basic questions must be answered.
“If it is known that Mullet Bay is sold, then who sold it? When was it sold? And who bought it?” she asked. “I need those questions answered because I don’t have the answers to that.”
The distinction between the beach and surrounding property is important. In its July 7 ruling, the Court of First Instance determined that Mullet Bay Beach itself is public property and was never acquired by Sun Resorts. The court also confirmed that land behind the beach belongs to Sun Resorts. Government subsequently said it was reviewing the precise boundaries and public access implications flowing from the ruling.
Gumbs said the wider Mullet Bay issue became one of the major matters requiring her attention after taking office in 2024 and reviewing St. Maarten’s obligations under the ENNIA arrangements.
According to the Finance Minister, Mullet Bay was not mentioned in the agreement she initially reviewed. She questioned why an asset considered important to St. Maarten was not addressed and insisted that St. Maarten at minimum secure a right of first refusal.
“I don’t see anything for Mullet Bay in here, but Mullet Bay is important. And so for that, I at least want first rights of refusal,” Gumbs recalled. She said that provision was subsequently included.
For Gumbs, the existence of that provision also raises questions about suggestions that Mullet Bay has already changed hands.
“So if Mullet Bay was sold, then why would I have received the first rights of refusal?” she asked.
While rejecting master plan discussions at this stage, Gumbs stressed that her position should not be interpreted as opposition to an eventual sale. She said the agreed ENNIA resolution contemplates the sale of Mullet Bay, with proceeds going into the resolution fund.
“Your task as what we have agreed on was simple: get Mullet Bay sold,” Gumbs said.
She explained that proceeds from an eventual sale would go into the resolution fund and help lower the financial cost connected to the ENNIA resolution.
Gumbs said her focus in the process is protecting St. Maarten’s position and ensuring that the agreed steps are respected before discussions move into development plans.
The Minister also said another key step remains unresolved: establishing exactly what constitutes Mullet Bay and where the boundaries lie.
That issue gained additional importance following the July court judgment. The ruling established that the beach itself remains public, while property behind the beach belongs to Sun Resorts. Government has said further work is required to clearly define those boundaries.
Gumbs said the boundary question should therefore be addressed before the process moves forward.
For the Finance Minister, the sequence is clear: determine the boundaries, preserve St. Maarten’s right of first refusal, follow the agreed ENNIA resolution process and avoid actions that could weaken the country’s position before an eventual sale.
Residents, businesses and other stakeholders are being invited to help shape the future of the Mullet Bay area as Lyongo Architecture prepares a masterplan for the area and hosts its first public consultation on Wednesday, September 23.
The architectural and urban design firm is currently working on the Mullet Bay area masterplan and is seeking input from the wider community before the plan is developed further.
The consultation forms part of a broader effort to understand the opportunities, challenges, qualities and needs of the area while ensuring that different perspectives are considered as the masterplan takes shape.
The firm has been commissioned by Sun Resorts, the owner of the property, to do the plan.
