Yesterday we told you how a second Coral Bay marina proposal has been released. Today we have more information with regard to the hotel and resort components. Here are the details provided by Save Coral Bay:
Overview of the Sirius Upland (Hotel and Resort) Project Components
Although not part of the Army Corps permit application, the Sirius project includes an extensive upland hotel development. Built on land behind the Guy Benjamin school and on the Coral Bay ball field, the development includes an 89 unit hotel complex, outdoor swimming pool and retail stores. The proposed hotel, resort, and new ball field was shown to the Coral Bay community in November 2014, and assuming the plans haven’t changed since then, it looked like this (artist rendering of aerial view):
Recognizing that the loss of the view over the ball field would not be well received by members of the Emmaus Moravian church, the architects made an adjustment in their plans and provided a sight line down the center of the development so at least a portion of the water could be viewed unimpeded by buildings. They provided this rendering to make that point:
We have constructed several views of the hotel portion of the project in an effort to show what it will really look like from the road or from the vicinity of the church. These images are based on our best available information regarding building design, elevations, and location. This is the view from the road alongside the ball field. Because of the lower elevation of the roadway, the two story hotel units will completely obscure the view of the water from the road.
This is the view from the front of the church property. At the slightly higher elevation of the church it will be possible to see the water over the rooftops of the hotel units, however the dominant feature offshore of the hotel will be the proposed marina (not shown below).
And an aerial view of the entire project site:
It is apparent from these images that the 89 room hotel/resort complex would become the dominant feature of this central portion of Coral Bay. The economic viability of such a fundamental transformation of land use needs to be carefully considered, and we will be providing testimony to that effect during the rezoning hearing, once scheduled.
The purpose of this overview was to provide a complete picture of the proposed development project. The Army Corps is technically only concerned with the marina project and its associated infrastructure, however the developer has told the community that they would not build the marina unless they receive permission to also build the hotel. They claim that the marina is not economically viable on a standalone basis. So, when considering the impacts of the marina one must also be cognizant of the larger picture, of which it is a part.
This will completely destroy Coral Bay as we know it
When will all this insane development stop?
Does anyone know what group of people is behind the Sirius Group?
I just don’t get this-I’ve been in development 30+years the types of projects being described will not be sustainable throughout the year. Where do they think they will get all this revenue from-majority will only be “season”. And if it doesn’t success which is highly likely based on several I’ve been involved with in smaller areas you are left with blogs vacant and damage to water and wildlife.
Terrible idea. Totally destroys the ambience of Coral Bay. Leave a great place alone.
I agree with Mimi. Might just as well pave over all of Coral Bay. It will look horrible. The same group would probable like to paint the Washington Monument purple or Golden Gate Bridge blue. Why do they want to ruin something so beautiful for the sake of the $$$.
This is smaller than but just as bad as the Sirenusa development was in Cruz Bay…that clump of building are such an abomination on the landscape there and totally overwhelms the beauty of that little town. And to what long term benefit? This, in addition, will negatively involve plant and sea life. And where does the ball field go? Please keep us posted on meetings so letters or emails may be sent to the appropriate authorities. Thank you for your efforts.
Looks like Skinny;s will be gone too
This is a very poor design and a poor use of such an important space. I am sure John D Rockefeller is rolling over in his grave over this idea. The entire Coral Bay project needs to be stopped! The bay needs to be left in its natural state.