I just went by the construction at 5:25 and all the buildings are gone except 3 sides of one.

Thanks for the report. I wonder once everything is demolished, how fast it will proceed from there? Hopefully with as much alacrity!

We are at Club O this time next week. Very curious to see the changes.

When we were there what struck me was the way they were going about it. The excavator looked like a new one and other than the operator there were two people picking up the smaller pieces working with the operator. On the second day there was another crew putting up the security fence. Along with that there were truck operators removing the debris. I have seen jobs in the states go at a slower rate. They all seemed to be doing their jobs well. That is just my opinion. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

What's interesting to me is that it looks like in the first picture that there will be a fence between the beach and the restaurants. I can't tell whether that is supposed to be a wall there and the restaurants are raised up? Because if not, you will not be able to see the water from the restaurants because you won't be able to see past the umbrellas on the beach??

The restaurants do look elevated....
http://www.lepelican-journal.com/saint-m...forme-7375.html

OK, I didn't see it that way when I saw that drawing to begin with, but I guess so. I thought originally it just looked like a line there.

Just loved the post from Pat. Heavenly indeed was how Orient was. I always called it Paradise, and now - just our opinion- it's Paradise Lost ( apologies to Mr Milton). Still got the old passport with stamp IMMIGRATIE ST. MAARTEN DEC 1980. Reint just had the seafront and some of the horseshoe villas up. The bar roof leaked in the rain, visitors from Le Galion came over, the Sunday cook-out was to die for. We don't go no more- if you loved as it was, you need to find elsewhere. How lucky were we of the early 80s to have been to Paradise !

If you look closely at the top right rendition, in the center bottom is what appears to be the top of a wooden stair case and a wall on either side with a railing on top of it. The wall looks about as tall as the man, so you should get a good view of the water.

The rendition that BeachKitten linked, the wall didn't look nearly that tall, possibly only a couple of feet, but I guess we will find out soon. I'm guessing that wall would have to be concrete, from the look of it.

Paul & Maryann Marini are at Club Orient now. I think his pictures are open for everyone to see on Facebook. (I hope, since he asked me to post them on TTOL, and I have the hardest time! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...e=1&theater

Sorry, I'm not on Facebook and I couldn't see the pictures.

Here is the translation to Beachkittens link: "The development project of the plot Aw34 Orient Bay goes into high gear. The Semsamar just published a contract notice in the competition for jobs. Two types of projects are proposed. On the one hand the external works (roads and utilities), coastal protection and demolitions for the development of the plot Aw34 of Orient Bay. On the other hand, building work on carbets construction on this plot. This work is expected to cost $ 2 million to the Community. In any case the budgeted amount that was passed in territorial council in November. Operators should be able to invest their new premises at the end of September 2015. Until then, an exemption from the AOT (land occupation permit) is granted to the occupied lands. Once in their new premises, it will be issued to traders, a new AOT. The architectural project is advertised as "homogeneous and in a spirit contemporary Creole" by the authority. Will be on this parcel belonging to the Community, eight restaurants, four shops and a tourist market, a 80 space car park and toilets. Work should begin in June 2015. The operators will thus have to leave for several months."

Thanks Paul. Seems they're serious about this!
CnJ

Pat, I am with you. Pedros was enough beach bar for me. They could leave the buildings gone. Remember all the palm trees before Luis.

SXMWendell

You actuall left Pedros?????? <img src="http://65.246.19.145/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Ok, getting some sun, right, and walking the beach????? <img src="http://65.246.19.145/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Pedros from years back... was different that is for sure.

Way back when the taxi drivers took you to Pedros, as that realistically was the only spot on Orient to drop people off!!! Times have change! <img src="http://65.246.19.145/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Ok, forgot to add ----- you had to go back to Pedros to get the drink for the taxi ride back, right?? Not that you had any choice in the matter, unless the taxi drive had the cooler in the front seat. Seems that I remember that for some reason................. not going there!!! <img src="http://65.246.19.145/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

I drank with the taxi driver going back to Dawn Beach.

SXM. WENDELL

Hmmm, Wendell,

As I recall the original Dawn Beach area 'back in the day' - and remembering some of the paths and gullies we traversed to get there back then, you'd probably have to provide the driver with a few drinks before-hand to get him to drive out there in the first place! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

July 4
[img][image]http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k520/radhtravel/2015-07-04%2009.02.46.jpg[/img][/image]

July 4
[img][image]http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k520/radhtravel/2015-07-04%2009.06.20.jpg[/img][/image]

July 4
[img][image]http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k520/radhtravel/2015-07-04%2009.08.00.jpg[/img][/image]

Thanks so much for posting all the pictures!

Safe travels!

Hope someone else picks up the torch and continues posting pictures.

Looking at those pictures got me thinking. Where do they take all the demolition debris to? There is only so much space on the island!

Looking at those pictures I can't help but say again... just leave it sand, dunes and palm trees!

Certainly looks like they are moving quickly. Of course, tearing things down is always quicker than putting them up.

Excited to see how far along things are in 10 weeks when we arrive.

Although i do love the look of Orient as it stands today cleared out...it just ain't the same beach without all the shacks and food places. There are a lot more quieter and deserted beaches on the island...but the ''charm'' of Orient is the hustle and bustle....and all the great choices to eat and drink. People don't go to Orient for the quiet and serenity...they usually go for a good time. Of course, my favorite time of the day to be on Orient is around 3 or 4 PM....when the cruise people are long gone, and the beach starts to ''open up'' after a busy day. Sure is going to be different next March when we go there....

That's never going to happen again. Plus think of all the folks who would be out of jobs if it did. Granted we weren't visiting Orient 'back in the day' when it was mostly beach and palm trees, but I must admit that we do enjoy having our choice of beach bars to go to. Hope it maintains the same feel it had before they tore it all down.

It's really amazing how lovely it looks all cleaned up! Whatever else happens I think it will look and feel much better just having the buildings pushed back.

When we arrive next April I am sure everything will be just fine ....A new beginning ...change is good ..I am sure the prices will be higher next April ...

My guess as to where all the debris is: somewhere nearby they have dug a hole & dumped debris in it, -OR- somewhere nearby was a low spot that is being filled in....whereever it is, the pile of debris will likely be covered with some soil....

There IS a dump on the French side, guys. I'm not sure why you would assume that people would just dump this debris, especially since it is a government project.

Don't believe the post turned to where is all the debris going....but happy to jump. C&D (construction/demolition) debris is fairly clean stuff..sand/concert most likely going to fill something (wherever they need it) or landfill cover, other stuff with wood, must likely the landfill north of Cul de Sac. They may even grind and compost the wood. Let this be the last derbies discussion.

Anyway keep those pictures coming...nice job to those on the island in keeping us informed.

I think the thread only went here because no one has posted anything recent in the past couple of days. Hopefully someone on island can post a new thread with current information, as this one is so long it should be closed.

If someone on island has pictures that they don't know how to post, email them to me.

And to think we survived all that. I swear our 1st trip there in late '70's I thought the pot holes would swallow us up and we'd never be seen again! And that hill going to Dawn Beach was a nightmare.

Looking at demolition photos showing no building but just sand reminds me of those years when nothing was there but sun sand and bare bottoms.

Today they were loading up the big backhoe. Nothing left but sand. I took a picture but can't remember my photobucket sign-on so I can't post it. Really not much to see. I will post it when I get back.

Carol,
I sent you a picture that my wife and son shot of the construction area while they were parasailing yesterday. I could not get it to post. Hopefully you can.

Paul

Hi. Hopefully Eric will be able to post it today.

Today they were hauling out sand and compacting the sub base. Not too much exciting to report.