The above rendering is a design of the building that originally was slated to occupy the southwest area of the Tortola Pier Park (right). However, major construction has not started there.

Other than a vague statement from Premier Dr. Orlando Smith that the project is under “review,” officials aren’t speaking about the status of the roughly 11,000 square feet of mostly undeveloped land that was earmarked for an international chain restaurant at Tortola Pier Park.

Since the Tortola Pier Park’s grand opening, little work appears to have occurred at the site of the final building slated to be constructed at the park. Officials have not explained why that is. Photo: CHRISTINA KISSOON
According to project documents and statements by Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool, the BVI Ports Authority was to build the structure and then lease it to a restaurant.

In January, Mr. Vanterpool said the planned building is being leased to Sage Investment Holdings — a company owned by the BVI Investment Club — and that construction should be mostly finished by June.

Mr. Vanterpool added at the time that Sage was in discussions with the Margaritaville chain of restaurants affiliated with singer Jimmy Buffet.

But more than six months later, no work seems to have taken place at the site, and officials are mum as to why that is.

No comment

Last month, Tortola Pier Park Marketing Manager Meslyn Allan declined to comment on the status of the site, saying that inquiries should be sent to the Ministry of Communications and Works. Multiple inquiries sent to ministry officials since then have not been met with a reply.

Autland Heavy Equipment owner Dion Crabbe — who received a $2.5 million contract to build the structure, of which $564,000 was paid as of February — also declined to comment.

BVI Investment Club President Meade Malone and Margaritaville officials have not responded to requests for comment on the status of the chain restaurant.

At a press conference last month, Dr. Smith said officials are reviewing the project, but he did not go into further detail.

Contract

The construction of the building appears to be necessary for Tortola Pier Park to reach the official “substantial completion” benchmark stipulated in the contract between the BVI Ports Authority and Norwegian Cruise Lines, which entails having 90 percent of the retail and food-and-beverage infrastructure completed and 50 percent of the retail spaces occupied.

Until the pier park reaches the “substantial completion” phase, Norwegian has the right to terminate its commitment to bring more than 300,000 passengers here annually for 15 years, according to the contract. However, officials from both camps have said Norwegian has no intention to do so.

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