Donald deCastro writes to UK MP Henry Bellingham over proposed Tortola Pier Park
Press release - Monday, July 30th, 2012 at 9:56 AM
Donald deCastro
Dear Sir,
I am writing you on behalf of myself and the many other concern citizens and residents of the Virgin Islands in regards to the proposed Tortola Pier Park development.
This proposal in my opinion is very similar to the Bates Hill plan of the 60’s and is therefore not in the best interest of the Territory and its people. This proposal will gravely affect the local business people and tie the hands of the next twelve administrations and several generations of our people. It is my understanding similar projects were undertaken by the same set of developers in Jamaica and other countries and they were not at all satisfactory. I am not an educated man but simple common sense tells me that should this project be approved and completed our children and grandchildren will pay a very heavy price financially and otherwise.
This proposal was brought to the attention of the public on June 27 and in the presentation two things were made perfectly clear; that the contract will be signed in about thirty days and that only a few retail spaces will be available to local people. It has been the practice of past governments to go into agreements with foreign corporations and the coming to the public to inform them as to what they are doing rather than getting the input from the public first. This government is walking the same road. This, therefore, tells me that this requires the intervention of the UK government.
We must always bear in mind that the majority is not always right whether it be the government or the populace. We have a number of greedy individuals and influential business people that support this project as their only interest is personal and not that of their country or its people. Then of course we have those that would not voice their opinion for fear of victimization.
As the time is close for the signing of this contract and the interest of future generations are at stake I am requesting you take an urgent look into this matter on behalf of myself and of all concerned citizens and residents.
I am hoping that the agreement signed earlier this year between the UK Government and the Virgin Islands Government give you the right to intervene should you feel that my concerns are genuine.
I am,
Respectfully yours,
Donald E. de Castro
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32 Comments
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wow, 4 acres of shops, only a few of which are to go to BVIslanders before getting to local shops, means, most money spent. Way too many people will be clogging Road Town and Tortola beaches, ruining our daily lives. Cruise ship people do not spend money we all know that. well most of us know and any one who has cruised knows that the ship itself sells everything cheaper than it is sold in the ports, so the ships themselves are the biggest enemy. They need ports to keep their “racket” going. We get tobe the suckers, buying in to the ponzi scheme. . . ruiniation of Natures Little Secret is near complete!
Again we hearing about ‘done deals’ and partnerships out of smoke. Where is the sunshine in our government? Same old deal, big work sold as great benefit to the ppl, but the ‘ppl’ that benefit can be count on the fingers of the hand. Oh yes, cry out that we against ‘progress’ but we against thiefing from the public!
we dont trust mark nor claude
This is only four acres of land. Lots of locals own land over there. Not one of them ever think of or attempted to develope their peice of land because of the uncertainty of the number of cruise that visits. Now they have the opportunity. This investment partnership will gurantee the volume of tourist that will make such expensive venture possible. What the locals who have land over there needs to do is to piggy back on this investment and develop their businesses to capitalise on the increase tourist arrival that will come from this partnership.
There is always mention of the Falmouth development in Jamaica. Neither the private sector nor the government of Jamaica put in the infrastructure or business to capitalise on the increase number of tourists. They just expects money to fall out of the tourist pockets into theirs. A simple case in point is the Greenwood Great House a few mile outside Falmouth. Even though tit is privately owned, the JA government did not see it fit to repave the road to this area knowing that there will be increase tours from the cruise ship to this piece of Jamaican history. The road to this area remained in a deplorable condition until the tourists who made the trip write about how wonderful the tour of this great house was but how deplorable the road was to get to it.
Falmouth is a central part of jamaican history and the JA government did nothing to sell this to the tourist. It is all about bad planning. So what you find is the taditional tours to Dunns River, Green Gratto, Rafting on the Martha Brae, Rose Hall Great House and Negril continue to get the bulk of the tourists although there are a few privately developed attractions around falmouth that enjoys good patronage.
You get out what you put in. Instead of planning how to benefit you are planning how to stopt it. Of course the developers wil make some money. Decastro I hope have a business which he invested in to make some money. If that was not the case the developers could just renta a helicopter, fly over Road Town and through out $15 million.
Locals may be able to raise the money and develop the Park now that some one gave them the idea. But guest what? At the end of the day Disney will only give you one ship per month. Can that run a business. You need partnerships for business to succeed. Here is one. Run with it. Guest what? once you lock in Disney the government can up the fees they collect per passenger and squeeze an extra two $ million per year in tax. Think strategic and capitalise on this project.
Tonyo knows so much bout JA he needs to go back there. This is not JA.
just make the whole Town a concrete jungle and see how beautiful it will look. Do the expansion of the dock, cancel the amusement park.
This will not make it more beautiful than it is right now. Barren.
Did a benefit-cost analysis show the benefits of this projects outweighing the cost? No customary measure could have shown this. This project is heavily weighted in the investor’s favour.
The investor is ponying up $2M. But is being given control of 4 acres of prime, scare water front property valued at $11M for a lengthy 48 years. Additionally it will be allotted $9 from the $15 cruise passenger tax; the Port collects the other $6, which is down from the current $7. Further, the investor will collect all concession fee for the first 15 years. But wait there is more. At some point in the ridiculously long 48 year lease the government will have the option of buying out the lease for a $100M. If the Port did not have the resources to leverage this project, where will find the money for the buyout? Moreover, the investor agreed to invest $75M at some point in the lease. But this $75M will be leverage by the passenger tax and concession fees.
Lets not hate on the investor though. They made a one-sided proposal that is scandalously weighted in their favour and we bit hook, line, and sinker. It look as we grab at the first proposal, for hopefully it could not have been tilted any more in the investor’s favour.
We were out negotiated. Clearly, the investor is using very little of its own money. Instead, it is adroitly using other people money (OPM) to leverage this project. Incentives are often used to attract funding for a project. But the conventional wisdom is that the lion share of benefits resulting from the incentives should accrue to the entity that provide the incentive. This project clearly did not meet this expectation. The BVI is being shafted.
No doubt the cruise ship pier area needs to be upgraded. But a better project is needed; this one is not in the BVI’s interest. The project may provide some short- term benefit for a few people. But as a territory we we need to look at the long term benefits in the out years. This project must be fully vetted and completedly reevaluated. As Donald noted it is closely related to and eerily similar in nature to the Bates-Hill project.
On another note, one does not have to have political power to run things. Economic power often trumps political power. Lobbists and election campaign donors in the US drive home the money has power point.
Who are the investors?
What is their track record?
Have they completed like projects elsewhere?
If so, where and have the projects been successful with customer satisfaction?
I may have missed this information as it would be unusual not to have published such info for the public.
I miss having the diverse opinions of talk show hosts. In cases such as this it helps to hear all the angles.
What I have observed here is that there was a partner-ship formed for the execution of this project before we were told about this grand scheme and to date, no one knows who the local partner is.But trust me, sooner than later the Crabs will crawl out of their holes and reveal themselves.
There is far to much secrecy and miss leading information surrounding this project ,not to mention the Airport expansion project. Mark would be better off trying to sell this to Anguilla.
I had the privilege of listening to one of the foreign investors express himself concerning who will run the show and it is crystal clear that we would be foreighners in our own country if this was allowed to go through.
There’s enough money in this country to float a bond issue and let the locals earn the money of the investment. I’d buy some bonds on this.
I agree with DeCastro in some sense where this project is concerned. It seems to be Bates Hill but the 2012 repackaged version. Yes, Bates proposal was the whole of Wickhams Cay and this is just 4 acres.
The fine print of this deal has not been provided to the public and I have a serious issue with the duration of the lease. 48 yrs??!! A bank does not even give a jumbo loan for more than 30 years.
I am for developing the cruise ship pier but really concerned on HOW it is done. We have to be careful about the drastic increase in cruise tourist as this will affect the long term (1 week or more) tourist that vacation here. If you don’t believe me, research what happened to Bermuda when they increased their cruise passengers to a high amount and then reduced them again. It’s a fact that on island tourist spend more/leave more money in the country.
I am just saying we really need to be careful with this one!!!
Now these are the types of concerns I can deal with. At least you articulated your poitns and you have very good points which should be addressed. My concern is people like Mr. deCastro who just oppose everything just for the sake of it with a set of straw men arguments.
If Mr DeCastro cared about his children and grandchildren as he says in this letter, his concern should be where the hell they will find work or economic opportunity when they become of age, if we don’t put things in place from now? The Trust Companies will not be here forever in their current state. Many are outsourcing secretarial and other services, leaving just routine work for the BVI offices. Other jurisdictions are offering better incentives which make them more profitable so they’re moving parts of their business out of the BVI. Right now there are hundreds that can’t find work in an ‘office’. If we do not put things in place do you expect Government to hire all of them? Even Government needs downsizing but can’t happen until the private enterprise is boosted and this investment is one such boos.
You mention jobs. Simply if Gov’t would tighten up and stop renewing ‘some’ work permits to leave room for our people then there will be jobs. We must take a good look at who we are catering for.
See my reply below
See my response below.
All who here making noise, I urge you to take a walk or drive past the cruise pier area right now and see the state of that place with those tents. Why these people we hearing now never had an issue with the place being run down but have a problem with it being built up? sometimes I swear we are our worst enemy! So don’t talk, go down and see!!
Every job has to be advertised in all local newspapers for 3 weeks, if the position is not taken by a belonger then a foreigner can apply. If the belonger’s aren’t applying for the positions, and you don’t want foreigners involved then who is going to do the jobs??
You are really going to place a strong emphasis on advertising the job? Really?! You and I both know well that various companies/industries do this as a ‘formality’ just to say they are within the confines of the labour code.
For instance, the financial services industry will advertise a job perhaps for Trust Officer or Corporate Administrator (mid level position) and qualifications have to be that the person speaks two or three languages, have a law degree, 5 – 7 years experience in the industry. Hmmm, the amount of languages alone ‘deters’ locals from applying. Ooops, nobody applied; guess we have to apply for work permit for person (foreigner) who is ALREADY lined up for the job. Not saying this happens all the time but it is rather rampant in a number of industries in the Virgin Islands.
We do need foreign labour like anywhere else in the world but Gov’t needs to protect its people and ensure that they have first preference once qualified to do so and maintains professional work ethic.
Mr. Decastro, Speak for yourself. You want to right letter to the UK government outlining your disapproval? I can write to them too outline MY APPROVAl. As others have posted here, There is NO COMPARISON WHATSOEVER with this pier park and Noel Lloyd/Bate Hill’s situation back in the ’60′s. This is a Win-win for both Disney and the BVI community as a whole. Tortola NEEDS this right about now. An major investment like this into such an important pilar without affecting our Treasury. If you Mr. Decastro relied more on Tourism for a living, you’d have probably jumped on board from Day 1. But no, Ya’ll don’t think about others, Ya’ll just surface these ridiculous comparisons and disagreements for whatever reasons you may have. I don’t believe in getting anything for free. Seems as though People like Mr. Decastro wants investors to just give their money and not have anything in return for their investment. Yes, I’m not 100% in agreement with the pier park, but this is somewhat of a stimulous that we urgently need in the economy right about now in exchange for a little sacrifice. As a BVI Citizen, the NDP has my approval to move forward. Lets get this thing going.
Win-win you say? Moron did you ever take ANY basic Econ classes? If so you would see that a cost-benefit analysis would show this project in its current form is not good (economically) for the VI at this time! Based on the numbers put out to the public TPP is investing $2 mil, while WE the ppl give up for 48 yrs prime waterfront real estate valued between $9-11 mil PLUS $3.5 mil for piles and on the back of reduced pass. tax – sounds good still doesn’t it! In 15 yrs the DEVELOPED site w/leases factored in will be so cost prohibitve that Gov. will NOT be in a position to “buy-out” period. The ROI for the developers (IDEA) is so unbelievable that is why the have setup shop here. They even have an intern sitting in TCP! Mark even said it – maybe in a few yrs we could do this without foreign investment – rather a consortium of local investors would be the better option!
I am amaized how some of our people can position themselves to support what is obviously a flaud proposition which has been sold to a few greedy folks who are waiting in anticipation of their reward.
One does not have to look to far to see that what is being proposed is suspect.
What was agreed on with the last Administration called for the required work to the dock to be carried out and a mutually acceptable reception hall to be constructed, all at a cost of $15 million dollars. The present agreement calls for the improvements to the dock to be carried out at a cost of $25 million dollars. I will say no more than with no biddin process in place this is highly suspicious. It is my only hope that those who authorised the release of the $3.5 million by the Port to the contractor’s account will step up to the plate and ensure that the millions are returned to the Port’s account.These questionable dealings need to be investigated.
them had want to kill vip for the samething with biwater
keep the heat on them decastro..i wid you 100%
Would this be a good investment if VIP did it? Some people are just blind political yes men that would accept and try to condone anything their chosen party feeds them.
I don’t mind seeing the pier developed, but developed in the proper way, this is not a circus, take out certain things that are in the plan and find other things that maybe used to get the attention of not nly the people visiting but for locals to enjoy as well
I do think that those of us that do support this development project should make our opinions known. The BVI will not be loses here. It is an opportunity. Yes, the investors will profit from the development, if there was no financial gain in the deal, then they would not invest. However, the deal offers the BVI the opportunity to improve it’s positioning with the cruise ship industry, revamp the run down capital, increase incomes by generating revenue, and create a future for the generations to come. To bypass this opportunity is to remain stagnant and see nothing happen at all. We remain status quo. More cruise lines pull out,less people have business opportunities,further businesses in town fail as a result of no one coming here but to work, etc etc.
The development project will expand and permeate throughout our town. Businesses on Main Street will thrive as people move beyond the development with an improved sense of mind. Come on people. People don’t spend the money they work hard for without though. Asthetics work. Makes their experience more pleasing through all senses. Sight sound smell all play a huge role in emotional responses. Good responses means happier consumers which = more dollars spent. Honestly, if we take this idea and the local business community builds upon it by closing main street to traffic, building pleasing store fronts, offering shade, benches and streetfront vendors and cafes….things will improve for everyone.
Do we really want Road Town to be a concrete parking lot for all those to work in confined office spaces? Presently our town is disgusting. It is filthy, stinky, gloomy and falling apart. I personally, and the hundreds of people I have talked to about this development are excited about the future and the good that can come from this opportunity.
Bates hill had the entire Wickham’s Cay for himself and was going to gate it off from us. This company is getting 4acres of land, from where the fence is now to the sea. The rest of the land is in the hands of locals, what is wrong with some people? I am not 100% for the proposal right now, as is, but this scare tactic using Bates and Noel Lloyd is ridiculous, there is no comparison. There are many arguments to be against this project, stick to those and stop trying to play with people’s emotions. This is 2012, nobody can’t come here and rule our land. IF they play around they will be burned down flat and sent out of here speeding, what you hear bout? What donald plan to boost our economy? Not a damn thing but he always first to complain. Mr. independent against everything that would put a dollar in the country. How he think we could sustain ourselvs if we go independent, without putting the necessary in place to attract business and investment?
I have to agree with you. I am not entirely for the project nor am i against it. It is time we move from living in the past. It is time to move forward and look towards the future for our children and grand children. As the question was asked what do you propose to do to help boost the economy?
BVI Loyalist i think you need to open your eyes and see what is happening in the territory right now. You say nobody can come here and rule our land but its already happening, look at how many rich people buy property and want to talk about they owning the waters around it. Didn’t richard bronson convince the government that bringing monkeys to the bvi is a good idea( still waiting for this to slap them in their faces). All in all i agree with development but i disagree with this one, lets focus on what is attracting the tourist here in the first place “OUR NATURAL BEAUTY” NOT FERRIS WHEELS.
Amen open eyes! Our natural beauty and environment is our key to success. We need to clean it up and maintain it and we will see what a difference there will be.
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