back to Environment - Bimini, Bahamas

Minor damage, but Frances-related work stoppage delays Bimini Bay development

Slugline: Minor damage, but France 
Publication: None 
Date: September 21, 2004
Section(s): National News

BY KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, GUARDIAN STAFF REPORTER The Bimini Bay project, that has picked up steam since the signing of a new agreement in June of this year has been set back by about 30 days in the completion of Phase I A, which encompasses 73 condo units. Phase 1A is scheduled to be completed within the first quarter of 2005. Hurricane Frances forced work stoppage as employees were given time off to secure their homes. However, executives of RAV Bahamas, the development company behind the controversial project, said Monday that efforts are already underway to make-up for the time lost, although it is going to be difficult. "Basically we did get strong winds in Bimini and we lost about 26 roof tiles during the hurricane, but we suffered no major damage," said RAV Bahamas president Rafael Reyes. "We do interpret the construction code very strictly and we felt that the construction was very adequate to withstand the strong winds. There was some damage, water damage that occurred, there were a lot of units that were not closed because they don't have windows and we had finish work inside but we are in the process of repairing it now. We had some areas where the sidings were damaged and there was some site work that needed to be done. But, we feel that it set us back about 30 days work," he explained. Despite that however, Mr Reyes said the project weathered the storm pretty well. And was more thankful that none was hurt on the site during the hurricane's onslaught. Mr Reyes said that workers are already 50 per cent through the reparation stage of the hurricane. Phase 1A is one of three components (Phase 1A, 1B, and 1C) outlined in Phase I, which will see the construction of close to 300 units. The entire Phase 1 is expected to be completed within three years. The developers are already boasting that 90 per cent of the entire phase have already been sold out. Environmental hurdles After overcoming a number of environmental hurdles and substantially scaling back on its original development, an amended five-year-agreement for the Bimini Bay project was signed in June of this year. The original agreement provided for 930 hotel rooms, 3,500 condos and 611 single-family homes. The revised numbers are: 410 hotel rooms, 1,080 condos and 440 single-family homes, and the government has agreed to add 200 timeshare interval ownership facilities. In the original agreement, the units amounted to 5,041; under the revised agreement that number has dropped to 2,130, or more than a 50 per cent reduction. RAV Bahamas Limited, headed by Geraldo Capo, has committed to investing $70 million during the project's first phase, and it is projected that upon completion well over $100 million would have been pumped into the development. Lawyer Valentine Grimes is the attorney for the project. At least 73 units in Phase 1A are nearing completion, along with a 60 slip marina. "Right now, I am in the process of completing the last peahead for the 60 slips. I should be fully completed with the marina in approximately 45 days. In reference to the 74 units I would say about 80 per cent of those are almost at 95 per cent completion. I mean it is just putting the finishing touches. Right now what we are working on is finishing up the underground electrical work, and a lot of the water and sewer is pretty much completed already for that phase," Mr Reyes said. He said presently the company is in the process of contracting a landscaping company. The scaled-back 700-acre development, that has been deemed "economically viable and environmentally sustainable," is in keeping with the government's commitment to protecting the island's environs and natural resources.