Walwyn wants gov’t pledge for former Palm Grove tenants
Sixth District Representative, Myron Walwyn, tried to secure a commitment from Public Works Minister, Kye Rymer, that allows former tenants of the Palm Grove Shopping Center to retain their original covenants.
Walwyn asked Rymer to tell his fellow lawmakers if there are persons with an active leasehold interest in the property and their current status, vis a vis their rights in that property.
He also wanted Rymer to disclose whether he or any other government minister met with the former occupants of the property to advise them of the plans with respect to the property and their respective rights.
Rymer said there are currently 17 lessees with an active leasehold interest in the property and noted that, before it sustained extensive damage in Hurricane Irma, the centre housed 70 tenants with businesses ranging from restaurants, salons, laundromats, pharmaceuticals and retail.
However, he told lawmakers investigations had revealed that there was no insurance on the building and said this made it difficult for the government to rebuild the property from scratch. “In the absence of having insurance, a decision was made to redevelop the centre through a public-private partnership initiative,” Rymer said.
He further explained that the ministry considered the future development of the centre and said it was seeking a comprehensive outlook of the benefits of constructing a multi-level building.
When pressed for further details about the government’s discussions with the lessees and the government’s development plans, Rymer said the development halted after concerns were raised by the former tenants and discussions began with lawyers concerning the property.
Walwyn then asked Rymer to give an assurance that nothing the government would do would deprive the former tenants of the rights that they have. He also asked for a commitment that, if the government has to move on to do something, the former tenants will be properly compensated for the legal rights that they have.
Minister Rymer, in turn, said the BVI is a country of laws and noted that the government is trying to come to an amicable agreement in terms of the way forward for the leaseholders.
He further advised that the law will have to run its course in the matter. “I cannot say what the process would be but the discussion continues,” Rymer noted.
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The old ugly criminal who has been arrested and charged just looking a way to get a spot so he can make a financial comeback
One thing I can say, the people of the 6th district took a huge risk and put in a man who is working for the entire Virgin Islands.
MW please keep up the good work.
Some of them wasn’t paying their monthly rent anyhow so what rights do they have, I might ask
Who the hell are you to say who was paying or who wasn’t paying, about a year ago the government tried to take the leases from the people that is why they had to get a lawyer. Kye Rymer has been ivited to meetings never show sends someone in his place, I know people who are still paying taxes on their unit. They also told me that at their age they would go for a buy out the government knows this but they won’t respond. The government was the ones to keep the insurance on the building and from what I was told it wasn’t insured since 2013. I think the people should take the government to court they have a very good case. Thank you Wally for bringing this to light.
We all have to pay insurance if we want to be able to rebuilt. So the taxpayer was supposed to pay their insurance?
Myron forget it was he and his NDP who demolished the buildings with no regards to the owners. He created this issue and the Prospect issue now come back in politics acting as if his hands are clean from these comlex issues they created for greedy reasons. He also forget covid came right after and the attention of the country and its finances shifted to dealing with that for 3 solid years. The same for the world. Myron created most of these issues with his party even the $8 million plane heist of tax payers money. Now he is speaking as if he is the savior. What a hypocrite. He is hoping we have short memories.
It is well true! SOME owners were not paying a dime.
this property, remove the concrete foundation and make it a nice shady park with benches and trees.
Myron has intellect and guts!!
Much respect!
How do you secure loans if there is no insurance on the building?
We are going to soon have more businesses than what customers..New Palm Grove needs to be one big nice mall with rental space. Cool and spacious, you in what you business u in all..The way to go..
Is for a property, not for a piece of concrete. This Walwyn character buy his law degree?
The real wiggy forget that he was put in jail.
Why? There’s one a few feet away that’s neglected and doesn’t get much use as it’s a hub for vagrants as will any other park be once located in the capital. Moreover, it would not be safe having a park directly next to the highway. It needs to be a commercial space as it previously was but renewed. There aren’t many modern business spaces for lease in town. It needs to fill that much needed niche.
Why you think he loves politics more than law? In law you have to know what you doing and you can’t fool a judge, in politics you can fool the people, talk piss then make the news on Zbvi .
So knowing he weak, lack intelligence and not to bright, politics will be his thing until the next step arrest and jail time!!!
@Condemn
Turn that area and the existing car park into a paid multi-level car park.
@ hold on. Get over this plane issue. Get over the wall issue. The millions of dollars that the vip wasted on Jose Hill Manor, on false fisher folks and false farmers doesn’t seem to be a problem to you knuckle heads and brain dead people. It was our social security monies that we work so hard for, but as far as you people are concerned that is minor.
After the hurricane, the wall is still standing and is still serving its purpose. All after what Andrew did, you still have the gall to be talking about Myron. Something is seriously wrong with tola people. You all have dementia.
@ Hmmm it doesn’t.
They all wished there was no COI and that A Fahie was still at the helm.