Mandahl Pond Development

Many of you are aware that a Stateside businessman is attempting to develop the entire Mandahl Pond area via the construction of a large marina, hundreds of condominium rooms, private homes, and a large commercial center with shops, grocery, restaurant/bar, and more.

What many of you do not know is that this land is owned by the Virgin Islands. It is one of the few remaining undeveloped beachfront and waterfront locations owned by the people and used by the people. The pond itself is a nursery that is vital for the environment. Birds flock to this area on a daily basis. Fishermen use it for bait fish, while others handfish off the jetty everyday. It is a popular area for walking and swimming dogs. Mangroves line the entire pond and serve as a filter for the runoff from the surrounding hillsides. This is a phenomenal ecosystem at work, and it is truly being threatened.

However, besides the environmental dangers posed by a development like the one being proposed, there is another huge problem. And that is all financial. Who would utilize the PORT OF MANDAHL for grocery shopping, restaurants, and shopping? I can already tell you that those living in the neighborhood are very much against this development. So who would come in and support businesses that chose to move there? The answer, in my opinion, is almost nobody. Not to mention that businesses themselves wouldn't want to move to this location.

How about purchasing condos? Are there not enough on the market already? The island's supply of condos is quite large, and the cost of new construction versus those already built is significant. Flooding the market with hundreds of rooms will only further saturate the current supply. This opinion is coming from a Real Estate agent, and is based upon vast local knowledge of the market. It just isn't feasible.

The marina? Did you know that waves crashing across the entrance are not uncommon? People even surf those waves at different times of the year. That doesn't make it easy for boats going in and out. Did you also know there is already an expansion at Compass Point occurring, which will even further increase what is available on the island? And that there are ample spaces available at other marinas like American Yacht Harbor and yacht Haven Grande? It just doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint.

Remember I said that the Virgin Islands owns the land? Well, it is true. The developer bought the remainder of a 99 year lease, which has about forty years remaining on it. So what happens after the lease expires? It will be too late for the island, and the area will forever be ruined by this development. So how much is the VI getting for this lease? You will not be happy to hear that they are getting ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR.

This is such a huge problem all the way around. And it is a real danger that this could occur. So get out there, make your voice heard, and fight to prevent the development of Mandahl Bay.