Prospect Reef re-development is ‘a priority for me’- Premier Wheatley
“Madam Speaker, the Government's vision is to have a branded hotel with much-needed conference facilities. As the term of the Board's membership has expired, we have commenced the process of appointing a new board and one of its mandates will be to issue a request for proposal for the re-development of Prospect [Reef],” Premier Wheatley said during the Question and Answer Segment of the House of Assembly (HoA) on September 5, 2023.
The Premier was at the time answering questions posed by Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth HoA on plans for the land of the former resort.
The Premier added, “Madam Speaker, I believe it was just last Thursday that [the] time for persons to apply to the Board expired.”
'It's a priority for me'- Premier
He said authorities are now going through the process of evaluating; however, once the Board is constituted its first job will be to for this Request for Proposal for the re-development of Prospect Reef.
“So it's a priority for me and I would like to see a Request for Proposal come out before the end of the year, Madam Speaker.”
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) had previously reported that the Prospect Reef Hotel and Resort was purchased by the VI government for $6 million in 2005.
A $100M deal for its development was announced in 2013 with the United Kingdom-based developer Sir Robert McAlpine Group; however, negotiations fell through.
A $90M deal was then signed in July 2017 with US-based firm The ICA Group to develop the project; however, that deal also fell through.
Along came hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 which destroyed the property and it has been left in ruins since then.
Many have since called the ruins an eyesore and pointed to the facility as one with potential that the government can redevelop to cater to the VI’s growing tourism industry.
.png)
Follow Us On
28 Responses to “Prospect Reef re-development is ‘a priority for me’- Premier Wheatley”
Where is the money going to , friends, family, cronies?
1ST DUMP.
AND THE KILLER IN THE STREET.
AND THE ROAD RACE
No money in those. But kickbacks from a big hotel project ? yum yum
But no hotel owner in his right mind is going to spend money on a beach less site not too far from the sewage works.
Let’s see if these guys have any vision.
I know probably 90% of society did not tune into the most recent sitting of our Honourable House, to see how these wannabe celebrities are playing with (y)our lives. Maybe Weathley (or whatever his name his) should take his head out the clouds (w**dsmoke) and focus on doing what is right for the country.