At this Island Time rate of progress, by the time I get there in February you might be lucky to buy a sandwich in the new buildings.

So unfair to the farmers.

Both Orange Fever and Sun Beach Clubber have facebook pages and both do not report they have a spot.
I'm guessing they would if they did have a spot to generate interest. So it does appear that nobody has been notified as I do not see any reason a business who got a spot would be asked to keep it secret.
Suspect the security is to prevent vandalism prior to a turnover, but would be nice if full time plus the evening
J&B

I saw some activity today at the two units closest to Pedro's. It looked like they were doing some finishing on the inside, but there was no indication of who would be operating there.

I, too, have been watching the Orange Fever and Sun Beach Clubber facebook pages for updates. Seems both are hopeful, but nothing concrete as of yet. From the outside looking in, it does seem the whole process has been handled quite poorly in terms of communicating with tenants. I know everyone says "Island Time" but there is also a thing called business sense, and it sure seems it would have been good "business sense" on both sides of the coin to let people know in advance so EVERYONE could start to make money asap.

Daily Herald story According to the story, the notifications of who has the leases have been mailed already.

The pictures in Herald article show the three corner 'fly' shading up on many of the units.
When we were there in December there was one up for a day.
It was very obvious that the low point of the covering was in the middle somewhere so that many gallons (ok, it is France so liters) of rainwater would collect whenever it rains.

If this happens it is likely that the canvas will not be able to support the weight (ok, France so it should be mass) of the water( H2O everywhere) and rip.

Solution is a drain hole at the low point or lower of the corners dramatically limiting the amount of water collected before it can naturally overflow!

We have heard that Le String, Aloha and Sexy Fruits have been approved.

What about Chez Leandra? Any news?

We have only heard about the 3 we mentioned. We have no news on Chez Leandra.

Has anyone been to Orient recently? It would seem the new retaining wall built on the beach is affecting beach erosion, and it looks like having loungers on the beach is going to be a no-no <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />

Don't worry, the beach will come back. Right now there is still room for one row of chairs. The beach changes daily. It's come and gone many, many times before.

We haven't noticed any differences that seem to result from the retaining wall. There was more beach when we got here, then less, and now there seems to be more beach (tides, storms, the moon? I don't know). Definitely walking from the Village to Pedro's/Club O is better when walking on the road with the new sidewalks. The newly built pubic washrooms and showers look nice and will be good once the water is turned on. I have no attachments to the previous businesses so the new facilities look good to me.

The expectations from some local people I have spoken with is that things will start happening around January 2nd -- after the Christmas/New Year holidays.

So, there are showers, in addition to bathrooms?? Would love to see some updated pictures of that..

I will try to get pictures. There is a building at the edge by Kontiki (the first building when walking on the road from the Village) with men's and woman's washrooms and 3 outside showers. They are not functional yet, though.

Carol, remember that 1 photo I emailed early November showing that building next to kontiki with the cement sections that people thought were for garbage? if there are outdoor showers they will be right near there.
We arrive next Thursday I will check it out.

Looking forward to someone being 'on the ground' and taking pictures!

I was thinking last night--does anyone think or know whether there will be room for any tables INSIDE the buildings? As I was thinking that the outside areas under the 'sails' will be totally unusable if it's raining, or even if it's really windy, which happens fairly often. And I don't think there would be any way to block the wind on the 'sails'. So unless there are tables inside the buildings, they will be effectively closed down if it is windy or rainy. Thoughts?

From what we could see when we were there earlier this month, before they closed the buildings so you couldn't see inside, it looks like there will be room for a few tables indoors.

Carol, I sent some pictures. Let me know if they don't show up in your inbox.

Hi. Thanks, I received them, when you sent them as separate attachments. Will try to get them posted sometime this weekend.

From SMN-N In June 2015, the Community of St. Martin launched the "carbets Orient Bay" program, funded to the tune of 3.8 million euros for the rehabilitation of community tourism facilities on public land located right next AW 34 Sea.

Tuesday, December 22, the territorial Executive visited the site of carbets to take stock of the work is completed. This release of reservations made &#8203;&#8203;in the presence of elected representatives of the Community, the delegated contracting authority (the SEMSAMAR) and corporate mandated to work, resulted in the decision to give companies additional time to finalize certain technical points before the official return of the site. Thus, companies have until January 13, 2016 to complete the finishing touches.
In addition, the Community notified by mail the decision of the executive council each candidate receiving a positive opinion for obtaining an occupancy Authorization Temporary (AOT) in the public domain on the said plot. Thus, these operators will be assigned a local in order to pursue their trade. Holders of a local restaurant soon will sign a framework agreement with the community, establishing rules for the use of public land. They will take possession of their local before January 13 in order to begin the installation of their equipment and make the necessary arrangements for the opening of water and electricity meters.
The holders of a local boutique or another location on the plot AW34 will be notified by mail no later than early January. They will, too, subject to the signing of a framework agreement with the community to the use of public space. This information will soon be notified by their community.
Finally, individuals who have received a negative opinion of the Executive Council to obtain a AOT on said parcel will be notified by mail of the decision of the executive.
Note that the Community has received nearly 80 applications (all applications) and has therefore been able to satisfy all candidates, especially since priority was given to operators already working on the site.
Through this program real estate, the Community of St. Martin wished to provide operators of functional and modern premises, and thus add value to the public domain on the eastern bay, which remains one of the busiest tourist spots in St. Martin and the Caribbean.

Hi. That newspaper article was already posted here.