Well, if the previous buildings were torn down, where the business owners could they have put their equipment? I'm only speculating that there was an arrangement between them and the Gov of St Martin to store it somewhere until it could be reinstalled once the new construction was completed.
I don't see the Gov of St Martin taking the equipment without their consent. I suppose that if an operator wasn't interested in relocating his business in the new buildings, then he would have taken his stuff and move it somewhere else.
I dunno. It's kind of weird, I agree, but at the same time, it makes some sense. I dunno.