There is another feud brewing tonight between a developer and a community opposed to development in their backyard, and this time it could get ugly. The residents are in the West Landivar area and they are up in arms about plans by businessman David Gegg who plans to build a multimillion dollar marina, restaurant, bar, gas station, and three storey office complex on prime seafront land next to the Dolphin Park. The ambitious project has gotten the green light from the Department of Environment but to proceed with construction, Gegg needs permission from the City Council and residents say they'll stop at nothing to ensure he doesn't get it. We have both sides of the story tonight and we'll let you decide.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This area of West Landivar next to the Dolphin Park is where tourism developer David Gegg plans to build a 56 boat marina along with a restaurant and bar. There are some in this area who oppose the plan and they say they'll stop at nothing to ensure it isn't constructed. Attorney Hubert Elrington, retired educator Dr. Cecil Reneau, businesswoman Perla Perdomo, and Fred Meighan all live in West Landivar and all are opposed to Gegg's project.
Hubert Elrington, West Landivar Resident
"We are not going to sit down and allow him or anybody else to walk over us and take away our rights. And this is a residential area and residential area must have a meaning, it means that people can with some amount of assurance, build their houses and expect the nature of the area to continue to be residential."
Cecil Reneau, West Landivar Resident
"I come to this park every day, I see it as a quiet place. I am a retired public officer and I wouldn't like to have to move again. I thought coming to West Landivar, which was not developed, that somehow it would be my place of abode for as long as I live but a humongous project like that would certainly change this entire neighborhood."
Fred Meighan, West Landivar Resident
"I don't think that the marina should be built in this area. It is too close up, everyone is too friendly and it will bring in a lot of unnecessary traffic within this area, a lot of people. If you go to an area and bring in new things you will attract new people from different areas. All kinds of thieves will come around here and come and try and chance the residents of the area so it will bring unwanted problems in this area."
Perla Perdomo, West Landivar Resident
"It is a security concern for me. I think it tramples on my right to peaceful enjoyment of my residence."
But perhaps no one will be affected more than Cecil Arnold. Under Gegg's plan - 2 three storey buildings will be built in front of his home, blocking the
sea view he's enjoyed for 20 years.
Cecil Arnold, West Landivar Resident
"I have no objections with Mr. Gegg as a businessman to want to build a marina, that is his business. But I am against the location that he is going to build it. In fact when I first got my lot, I got that lot because it was a sea front lot. Mr. Gegg is now planning to build two 3-storey buildings right in front of house. And I am thinking that with this type of development, it is not conducive at all to the neighborhood, it would change the whole characteristic of this neighborhood. There is nothing of this magnitude, when it is finished, that will particularly benefit the immediate neighborhood."
But David Gegg disagrees.
David Gegg, Tourism Developer
"This huge monstrous project, tourist village, another Old Belize that they talk about, is a total stretch of the truth for a few people to try and get their own way."
Keith Swift,
But these residents say they don't want this type of development in their neighborhood because it is residential, it is quiet, it is peaceful, and it is family oriented.
David Gegg,
"Keith within two blocks of this street there are twelve other businesses. If you go in another two to three blocks there are another twenty to twenty five businesses. To say that this is strictly a residential area is totally nonsense, it is by no means the case. There is a lot of businesses in this area.
Standing behind me is a beautiful three storey building and down the street from that is a four storey building. I have heard arguments that you can't put a three storey building in this area. Why can't I, many others have already done it."
But these residents argue that the problem isn't with Gegg or his plan, their problem is with where he has chosen to construct it - an area too close to home for the comfort of most in this area.
Perla Perdomo,
"The business plan looks pretty good on paper but it is not for this area, that is the objection we have - the location. I am a businessperson and I don't have any problem with development but it is the area and the location that we have a problem with. This is a residential area, almost 1000% residential area if you look at and there are people that have been looking back here for 30 years that choose to come back here because it is a peaceful area and because it is residential and a project of this magnitude will completely wipe out the reasons for them residing in this area."
A major concern for residents is Dolphin Park, a family hang out known for frequent sightings of dolphins. Residents fear that with Gegg's project you might as well change the name of the park. Gegg agrees the park will go through changes but he says that it's for the better.
David Gegg,
"I see Dolphin Park being affected to the extent that we are prepared to make it a much better place than it is right now. We are prepared to contribute to its maintenance to improve it significantly. There is a beautiful fountain and lights that were here but they are no longer operational, we are prepared to take on the responsibility to keep those things operational and to maintain the whole park properly."
Huge benefits for the area but the concern for these residents is what cost it will exact on the environment and their lifestyles.
The City Council will hold a public consultation tomorrow night at Dolphin Park beginning at 7 pm. On a point of clarification, Gegg doesn't own the land but rather the 3,333 square yards which has been designated as a reserve mangrove area was leased to him for 30 years in 1995. He says he leased the land back in 1995 for the purposes of the project but he is just getting around to doing it. The first phase of the project will cost $1.4 million and it should employ 30 to 50 people.
