Contract signed for Joe’s Hill Manor development after 3-year delay
Contracts being signed by the Chairman of the SSB, Ian Smith; the Director of the SSB, Antoinette Skelton, and the Managing Director of James Todman Construction, James Todman.
After being put on hold for three years, the contract has finally been signed for the development of affordable housing in the Joe’s Hill area of Tortola.
The contract was signed between the Social Security Board (SSB) and James Todman Construction recently.
The housing development will be known as Joe’s Hill Manor and will construct 43 housing units across seven acres of land in the area.
“We know that we have a number of persons unemployed due to COVID-19. This project is going to put $17 million dollars initially into the economy, and that money will have a multiplier effect. The contractor was chosen after much deliberation. Price wasn’t the only reason, but because of the reputation and the confidence that this government and the Social Security Board has in the contractor,” SSB Director Antoinette Skelton said during the contract signing.
Ground was first broken for Joe’s Hill Manor back in April 2017 with the first four units expected to be completed the following December. However, construction was disrupted by hurricanes Irma and Maria, which ravaged the territory in September 2017.
Skelton said contract signing was the ‘next step in a process that was well underway before the hurricanes’. Notably, the original plan was to construct 53 housing unit at a cost of $14 million.
SSB Chairman Ian Smith, in the meantime, said Joe’s Hill Manor is the first community to be built as a part of the Board’s first-time homeowners initiative.
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So SCB cant paid unemployment benefits but can build houses for locals. What’s not going on here?
So Todman is given a $17 mil contract with no bidding. This is the man that built the hospital that isn’t finished for over $100mil. How much was that overrun? Did he have his ***** fingers in the port project as well? How was the budget on that one. Why bother with contracts. They are meaningless. Need more money just ask but make sure you share. The amount of ********** that occurs in a land area that can fit into a thimble with maybe 30,000 people is just unreal. The BVI should allow wagering so that bets can be placed. I bet the final cost is $25mil. given his history of cost overruns. He’s laughing tonight and the pockets of those that signed got a much needed fill. Things have been slow.
Why manhead not wearing a mask?
You better do your research … Jamesie was the one that finished the job. The one that started was a foreign company Carimex who Dr Smith wait too long to fire after millions went up in smoke and the project wasn’t even close to completion. The contract was signed in 2007 for $64 million they were fired in 2010 after major delays and the cost skyrocketing to over $100 million. Jamesie started in 2011 By 2014 the keys were handed over.
It was put out to bid.
But their is and has been so many rumours surrounding this project.
Anyhow, good luck to all involved including the potential owners.
$400,000 per home. Quite a lot for social housing
just two questions today…Wasn’t Larry Adams originally a part of this project back in 2017 in conjunction with James Todman? Also, you would have to fit almost 7 houses per acre to build 43 units across 7 acres. Even though you can build 7 descent-size houses per acre, what do the laws say about the actual size of the land that will be subdivided to build these units?
I am trying to understand the metrics used in this contract agreement. The original contract was $14 million to build 53 units. The amended contract is $17 million to build 43 units. What’s the logic here. Is it just me who wants to know?
The pork fat was added! 🙂
That’s the “Irma Tax” at work again smh
James Todman seems to have a lock on Social Security. Look at their contract history. Besides he does not hire any locals at all. Big Up for Caribbean Nationals, more work. They sign a contract in 2017, where is Larry Adams?
Why manhead not wearing a mask?
and the beat goes on
It have enough to had give every registered contractor one each….We pay social security too!
THIS WORKS OUT TO BE $395,000.00 PER HOUSE….I WONDER WHO ALL COULD AFFORD ONE OF THOSE?? AREN’T THESE INTENDED FOR THE UNFORTUNATES??
Seems like a curve ball was thrown at a**** construction
Move the pension age down to 60 year and be fair to contributors.