The Tribune

BY FAY SIMMONS

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE GRAND Bahama Development Company (DEVCO) yesterday said it supports Port Lucaya Marina’s near-$22m redevelopment but is waiting on legal documents confirming the new ownership as questions continue over a stop-work order that halted demolition work at the weekend.

Charisse Brown, DEVCO’s president, said the company welcomes investment in the marina and is committed to facilitating the project once the required documentation is submitted.

"We welcome the planned investment in, and improvement of, the marina. Enhancements to this important asset are positive for Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama and the wider economy. DEVCO has no objection to the proposed works and is committed to supporting responsible development. There appears to be some misunderstanding and misinformation regarding the Port Lucaya Marina matter,” she said.

Ms Brown’s statement comes after the new owners of the Port Lucaya Marina began demolition and renovation work on Wednesday before the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) issued a stop-work order, noting the required approvals had not been obtained.

Ms Brown said DEVCO is the landlord of the seabed lease associated with the marina and, under the terms of that lease, any change in beneficial ownership must be formally disclosed to the company.

"While we understand that the property has been sold by third parties, DEVCO has not yet received the legal documentation confirming the new ownership or identifying the individuals authorised to act on behalf of the owner," she said.

"Our only requirement, as stated in our lease agreement, is that we receive the necessary legal documentation so that we can recognisethe properly authorised party and fulfill our obligations under the lease. This is a standard legal and administrative process that is common to landlord and tenant relationships. The new owners of the Port Lucaya Marina are not exempt from this requirement."

She added: "Once the required documentation is provided, DEVCO will continue to work constructively with the owners to facilitate the appropriate approvals and help move the project forward."

Troy McIntosh, GBPA deputy director and city manager, said the Port Authority had been working with the marina's representatives before demolition began, but could not issue a permit without written authorisation from DEVCO.

"My team advised me that we had been contacted regarding a permit for the demolition of the marina. We worked with them and discussed the available options. Up to today, this office has not received the documentation from DEVCO authorising us to proceed with issuing a demolition permit," he said.

Mr McIntosh said no verbal authorisation had been given for demolition to proceed.

"No verbal approval was given to anyone by this department to proceed. We operate based on documentation, and the required documents were never submitted to this office," he said. He added that the applicants had been advised not to proceed with demolition until the approval process had been completed.

"They were advised not to proceed, but they did," said Mr McIntosh. Responding to criticism that the GBPA was delaying investment, Mr McIntosh said the authority supports development but must ensure projects comply with established standards.

"We want to see the city develop. We want to see projects move forward, but we also want them completed in a code-compliant manner. We want developers working with us, and us working with them as the regulator and inspection department, so projects can move through the process seamlessly while meeting the required standards," he said.