TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Cupecoy is turning into a mini-city with high rises

Here's a photo I took today during a hike up Pic Paradis. The residential towers of Cupecoy are in the distance, forming a little Miami. (At the far right of the photo you can see the Blue Mall -- now the "Blue Residence" -- and the newest concrete towers that are still under construction.) Baie Nettle is in the foreground.

Cupecoy has changed a lot with all the new towers.

Wow, that's horrible.

Totally agree. We loved driving thru Marigot with the view approaching Cupecoy. On the past few visits we were really disappointed with the new growth. That’s progress I guess.

Post Luis (1995). Looks like Rainbow and Maybe Sapphire were up.

Rainbow was a hole in the ground in 2004

Yes, quite ugly.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I for one was sick of looking at the Mullet ruins and being afraid of that area at night. The Ocean Club is a stark reminder of what was a short time ago.

I disagree. We enjoyed the area and our stay in Mullet Bay at The Fourteen. St. Martin is obviously a popular destination drawing many first time and returning visitors. New developments of various size and design provide investment, employment and choice of accommodation to island residents and visitors alike. In my home city I prefer the more efficient use of high rise development over the car dependent suburban sprawl of the typical North American city.

The problem with SXM is the infrastructure. It can barely handle the situation now. Add more cars, more people, etc. and the problem magnifies.

I am guessing SXM does not have any sort of "impact fees" levied on new developments to help with upgrades and new infrastructure or of they do those funds are not being used to actually make the upgrades and additions necessary. We have had issues with this right here at home. Uncontrolled growth increasing the tax base and raking in the moolah makes politicians drool BUT the infrastructure is not upgraded to provide adequate services to the already thousands in residence plus the the thousands of new apartments, condos, and homes being built. As a tourist to SXM, this is a minor inconvenience a couple of weeks a year. If I was a resident, I can not imagine the impact on daily life and services like water, electricity, and roadways.

I doubt they have any kind of "impact fees". A lot of the development is done without proper permits. Some politicicians are on the "take" and that allows things to happen that shouldn't. I have been going there for over 34 years and have island friends. You are correct, the impact on their daily life is much different than what a visitor would experience for a week or so. They have to deal with the high costs, the daily traffic for work, shopping, etc. It is not fun in many cases.

Part of the problem may be that there are not property taxes in St. Martin. While no one enjoys paying property taxes, these funds are essential for raising revenue for infrastructure such as roads, sanitation, etc.

A short list with just a few of the impacts of continued development:

1. Increased traffic on the roads

2. Fewer available parking spaces in commercial areas

3. Higher demand for desalinated water

4. Higher demand for sewage treatment

5. Higher demand for electricity

6. Degradation of coral reefs and marine species due to increases in runoff from roads, etc., and sewage discharges

7. More crowded beaches, leading to increased litter

8. Higher demand for solid waste disposal -- which means a bigger mountain in the salt pond landfill in Philipsburg, and the ocean-side dump near Cul-de-Sac on the French Side.

Water and electric are known issues. I don't even want to think about the bigger issue...... sewerage.

All of these developments will have a negative impact on traffic, the power grid, and sanitation issues. No doubt. I would like to hear how those who frequent Dany's Beach Bar and use his rental chairs and umbrellas will be impacted by all of these changes. Many of us enjoy the clothing optional beach and the rustic vibes of Cupecoy.