The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The developer behind a private island resort project in the Exumas has confirmed it has finally received Bahamian government approval after a 12-month wait.

US developer David Harris, head of Associated Island Developers, confirmed via a posting on the Macana Resort at Escape Cay’s Facebook page that the boutique private island resort had received the go-ahead from the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA) and National Economic Council (NEC).

Mr Harris, in an October 2 post, said: “After 12 months of waiting on the Bahamas Investment Authority to approve our project, we have received official notification that our private island development in Exuma has been approved.

“It has been an interesting road to travel with commencing business in a different country, but the people of Exuma have made the difference. I could not ask for a better place to put down roots, and better people to associate with. Thank you to all of our clients for your patience, and support. We look forward to mobilising after the holidays and creating you an incredible destination site.”

The Facebook site charts the course of the project’s development, from the initial purchase of Escape Cay (a property the Berry Islands was rejected because of bad title) to the almost year-long wait for the Government to approve the project.

Associated Island Developers’ paperwork was received by the BIA and NEC on November 7 last year, and the company’s Facebook page at times betrays impatience with the pace of the approvals process.

An April 29 posting reads: “The Bahamian National Economic Council met today and I heard we were part of their agenda. One step closer to closing in July.”

The Facebook page refers to Prime Minister Perry Christie mentioning the project in his May Budget speech, before a July 23 posting reads: “Headed to Exuma this morning for a site visit with the Bahamian government tomorrow. This should be our last big hurdle before formal approvals are granted- at Exuma, the Bahamas.”

However, a posting one month later adds: “Disappointing news that the NEC has not met for the fourth week in a row. All of our paperwork is done and supported, just need the meeting to occur.”

The Macana Resort plan provides for 36 residential vacation home sites, with 30 lots available for sale. It was also one of the Family Island-based projects seeking to construct overwater bungalows, providing for 12 of these along with a boutique resort.

However, Bahamians may not be enamoured with Associated Island Developers’ choice of management company for the project. For it has selected Driftwood Hospitality Management Group, the operator that was in charge when Freeport’s Royal Oasis resort closed in 2004, with the loss of 1,200 jobs.

Mr Harris, in an April 4 posting, wrote: “We will be closing on the 120-acre island the first week of July, and start planning the infrastructure development in August. First we will complete the construction pier to assist in moving the construction equipment and materials on to the island.

“Next we will construct a 3,600 square foot maintenance facility that will house a four-bedroom apartment to work out of during construction. Next, we will construct all of the roads and necessary underground utilities to all of the home site locations.

“Eighteen home sites will be prepared for construction in Phase 1 on the western end of the island. These homes will be constructed in groups of six. After these homes are complete in 2015, we will begin construction on the Macana resort and over water bungalows.”

The posting then added: “The resort will be run by Driftwood Hospitality Management Group and be a full service resort..... They have experience in the Bahamas, and will operate to our standards. Very excited to team up with these guys.

“Finally, Phase three will begin after the resort is complete, and we will construct the final 18 homes on the east side of the island.

“Development will only consume 35 per cent of the island and will house a nature preserve and a marine biological research facility that we will provide free of charge to colleges and universities with research programmes.

“The island would sustain many more homes due to its size, but I would like to preserve the ‘Private Island’ feel by keeping construction to a minimum. I am also proud to announce that two of the lots have already been sold. This even before my official roll out event.....”

When it comes to Escape Cay’s infrastructure, Mr Harris previously wrote: “We will be utilising solar energy for the main electrical needs of the island. ...

“The solar units will have back-up propane generators to help charge the batteries during times of several days worth of cloud cover. Batteries, if set up correctly, can last up to 15-20 years.”

He added: “Fresh water will be obtained by salt water reverse osmosis units. We will utilise four of these units for the entire development to increase reliability. We will always have consumable parts on the shelf in our maintenance facility.

“The island is made solely of limestone. This type of stone is very porous and will perk great for fast septic systems based on the environmental engineer’s report.

“The main island of Exuma has recycling programmes currently in place. We will recycle as much on the island as we can, and barge the recyclables over on a bi-weekly basis. Items that can not be recycled, we will have an incinerator that will clean burn up to 30-50 pounds per hour.”