Hi, all. We weren't able to take our usual trip to SXM last year, and I'm a bit out of touch. We're now making plans to come down over the summer, so I'm back reading these boards. Can someone summarize what's been happening at Orient Beach? I read that the old buildings have been replaced--is it all of them, some of them? What prompted this "do over?"

This might get you started:
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...7&fpart=all

And this:
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...0&fpart=all

Thanks, SXMScubaman, I am not at all surprised to read that there are major flaws, delays, and protests. My question is more about what prompted this project in the first place.

OK, as far as what "prompted" the project, according to the Collectivite', it was Hurricane Gonzalo, toward the end of 2014.

Yes, Carol's use of quotes around the word "prompted" was appropriate.

Thanks, Carol and Ted_n_Jan.

Most businesses had already rebuilt after the hurricane. Then the government demolishes them, again. After months of no business, the government gives them a major rent increase, and wonders why the discontent. Simply genius.

Just wondering if anyone knows what the rent was before the renovation?

I believe it was $500 a month.

If you can call them rebuilt. Some were just piece milled together and would never have survived another storm. I probably won't patronize them only because I prefer the other end of the beach. Bikini and LaPlaya are my go to places.

The same type of things go on here in the states. We rented a kiosk in our local mall for about 14 years for the Christmas season. The last year the rent was 10 times what it was the first year. Talk about inflation!! When the owners find out that the renters are making some money they want more and more of it. In our case they did not improve anything and we actually had to run a telephone line to our booth and pay for hookup! Each year they would move us so that they had a telephone line in each of those spots. We were still making a nice profit, but got tired of being used so for the last four years we have made other arrangements. I can empathize with them.