The Tribune

BY FAY SIMMONS

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A POTTER’S Cay vendor yesterday welcomed the potential benefits from the proposed $2m Blu Cay marina project but said he remains cautious about how much additional business it will generate for nearby businesses.

Kenneth McKenzie, owner of McKenzie’s at Potter’s Cay, said he saw potential in the proposed development after hearing directly from Blu Cay’s president, Larune Russell, at a meeting with nearby business owners earlier this week. However, he questioned whether the project will ultimately be limited to the amenities outlined by the developer.

“He got good potential, but I don’t know,” said Mr McKenzie. Mr Russell told vendors that the proposed $2m-plus, 25-boat slip marina, which will also have 50 spots for jet ski storage, would focus primarily on tour boat operators and include a coffee shop, welcome centre, cabanas and spaces for dominoes and checkers players, while seeking to direct visitors toward existing Potter’s Cay businesses.

Mr McKenzie said he is pleased with plans to improve the appearance and amenities of the area, including the proposed spaces for domino players and other community uses. “I mean, that's good. I’d really like having the place cleaned up and looking like something,” he added.

However, he questioned whether the proposed coffee operation would be the extent of the commercial activity at the development. “I don't see a man want to spend that kind of money to go just put a cafe there to sell coffee and doughnuts, and no gas station for the boat,” said Mr McKenzie. “I know it could be more than just that” 

The developer has said the planned cafe would primarily serve coffee and light breakfast items to early-morning boaters and would not compete directly with Potter’s Cay food vendors.

Mr McKenzie said he is content with the proposed welcome centre and other amenities, but stressed that vendors would need to see the plans translate into tangible improvements. “We don’t want them to say one thing and then it’s a different thing,” he added.

The comments come as the proposed 25-slip marina continues to face questions from some Potter’s Cay stakeholders over its potential impact on existing businesses, traffic, environmental conditions and competition.

Mr McKenzie said he believes the development could benefit the wider area if it succeeds in attracting more visitors to Potter’s Cay rather than keeping them within the marina.

He added that the area has lost significant business due to competing tourism attractions and visitors increasingly remaining within other developments rather than making their way to Potter’s Cay.

The proposed marina's focus on tour boat operators could provide an opportunity to bring additional visitors into Potter’s Cay, Mr McKenzie said, but the benefits would depend on how those visitors move through the wider area.

“I mean, things have just slowed down on this side. I remember they said with the cruise port, business would come this way. Now they have a water park, restaurants, bars, Bamboo Shack... the tourists don’t even need to come this way any more,” said Mr McKenzie. 

“And after Royal Caribbean opened their island, it’s even less folk who come down this way. So any project that bring the guests down this side is good but we just have to make sure this marina isn’t just continuing the pattern.”

Mr McKenzie said Potter’s Cay had the potential to attract substantially more visitors if its wider environment was improved, as visitors needed to feel comfortable and safe coming into the area, purchasing food and services and leaving without being subjected to disorderly activity.

He said improved security, better management of the public space and efforts to clean up the area would be necessary for any new investment to translate into stronger business for existing vendors.

“We need security and a bigger police presence. I know they have the station out here but we need to see them more,” said Mr McKenzie. He added that Potter’s Cay already has the potential to become a better attraction, but needs the right management and investment to restore its reputation.

Mr McKenzie said he was therefore prepared to give the Blu Cay proposal an opportunity, but will be watching to see whether the developer follows through on the commitments made to vendors. “Hopefully, he stays true to his word,” he said.