Posted by Gus Smith, The Nassau Tribune on March 26, 2002 at 13:51:22:
'Briland development opposed
By Gustavius Smith
Tribune staff reporter
Harbour Island residents are upset that an application for a 32-acre resort to be built on Crown land has been received by local government. They are petitioning to block the development.
Some 'Brilanders believe that Crown land in Harbour Island should be set aside for them, and if the land is to be used by outside developers they should be consulted.
"A lot of Harbour Islanders are incensed that a developer could make an application for the grant of Crown land," said Charles Carey.
Mr. Carey, with more than 100 concerned residents, have launched a petition campaign on the website www.Briland.com, and have scheduled a special emergency public meeting on April 4 at 7:30p t the Anglican Parish Hall on Colebrook Street in Harbour Island to discuss the proposal.
Mr. Tyrone Roberts, owner of Nassau Yacht Haven in Nassau, is the applicant. Mr. Roberts has filed an application for a five-year conditional purchase lease of 32 acres of Crown land consisting of the bank north and west of the power plant, an area known as Girls Bank. He plans to erect a resort and marina at an estimated cost of $2.2 million.
Mr. Roberts has also filed an application to construct the resort, marina buildings and roads.
An artist's sketch accompanying the application shows a network of canals, islands, roads and bridges spanning the existing bonefish flats with docks, buildings to house guest services and restaurants, boutiques and shops and about 36 guest cottages scattered about the outer islands of the development.
Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Mr. Roberts was surprised by the residents' response to his application.
"I came up with the proposal, I met with the town committee, I told them this is what I put forth and for them to get in touch with me.
"I just basically told them this is my proposal and if they are in agreement I will move forward to go to the next level, if everyone is against it, I will just go elsewhere. I just thought that it was a good idea to create jobs and protect the harbour," said Mr. Roberts.
He said there is no proposed alternative to the site, but he would probably invest elsewhere if there is disapproval.
Girls Bank is directly in from, and to the north of what used to be the island's dumpsite. The dumpsite was recently recleared after having been prepared for green space, but shortly after Hurricane Floyd in 1999, residents once again turned it into a dumpsite. The clearing of the dumpsite opened the vista looking towards the bank.
The banks support the local bonefishing industry, and are a favourite playing area for local children who go conching, shelling and digging for crabs.
"Everyone is absolutely against the project," said Mr. Carey.
Messages posted on www.briland.com's electronic bulletin board illustrates the level of residents' dismay over the proposed project.
"When I first heard about this proposed development I was very upset. It seems as if everybody all of a sudden is a descendant of Harbour Island," wrote Wayde Higgs.
"Harbour Islanders, it's time for us to wake up and see what is going on around us. Just like Otis Johnson [another resident who wrote on the board], I too would jump the banks after school. I would like to take my son and jump the banks with him. Let us not let our birthright be stolen away from us," wrote Mr, Higgs.
Retired marine biologist Dr. Albert Jones, formerly of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, says he has over 30 years' experience working the Harbour Island environmental area. He said a project of this nature would cause long-term economic harm to Harbour Island.
"I know degradation to the marine environment would result from a project of this nature. I also know, from experience in America, long-term economic harm would result to the Harbour Island community. What would begin as an economic gain for one or a few individuals would eventually turn into an albatross of economic sluggishness and depression for the entire community.
"This has already happened at places in America that have lost out by approval of short-sighted development projects," wrote Dr. Jones.