Orient Bay Cabaret decision

From the article posted yesterday on StMartinWeek

Here is a quick translation:

Expected for mid-October, the reception of Parcel AW34 rebaptized <<Les Cabarets de Baie Orientale>> will occur this Friday morning.
During it's latest assembly on Tuesday, the executive council made their decision on the allocation of the 25 AOT's (eight restaurants, four boutiques, a market including ten small stands, three spaces for nautical activities as well as a (lifeguard) station and public washrooms.

Each lucky candidate will be informed imminently.

The article goes on to state that it is unfortunate that the operators will suffer from a shortened high season taking into account the time it will take before they can get their businesses up and running. The patience of the operators, many of them "original" will be rewarded. The site is superb the buildings are beautiful and the parking access is easy. Not surprising that the Collectivity received over eighty AOT requests.

Thank you for posting this.

It's going to end up being a spectacular tourist destination with all the establishments filled. Another cruise ship excursion that will fill the beach all along Orient and not just the new place. Should be a cash cow for the occupants and others up the beach. Love the colors and layout.

So, I'm confused, what is supposed to happen this Friday morning? A grand opening?? Announcement of who will receive the leases for the spaces?

And I note the article mentions a lifeguard station? Previously there has been no such thing on SXM, to my knowledge..

"And I note the article mentions a lifeguard station? Previously there has been no such thing on SXM, to my knowledge.."
That's why I'm thinking the whole development is geared towards attracting the cruise ship excursions. With a life guard there is a safety factor for families with children, something cruise ship personnel would like to have. Thinking Disney.

Basically it means that yesterday (Friday) the Elected officials ''got the keys'' to the Cabarets. Last Tuesday they decided who gets what and they will be informing those concerned shortly.

As for Lifeguards, there was an article in Le Pélican on December 9th stating that they intend to start adding Lifeguard stations to beaches on the French side, the first one being at le Galion which will include first aid material and a defibrillator. Construction is due to begin in the beginning of 2016 and it is expected to be in operation by march or april of the same year.

An demarcated swimming area will also be installed.

The second phase will be Orient Bay, with a large station and many zones under surveillance due to be in operation at the end of 2016.

They also mention Friar's Bay and Baie Longue with each beach adapting the configuration to meet their needs.

Baie Rouge would be a good place for a lifeguard - many times we have had to help someone get out of the water.

Don't worry about the cruise ship people Scubaman because they'll have no place to sit when the gov't cleans this beach of chairs like on Grand Case Beach lol

A well respected member of this board private messaged me with this. Said it was OK to post on board.
"Disney is no longer coming to SXM. Together with Norwegian they built a facility in Tortola and will keep their passengers in their own enclosed location. There is nothing to see or do on Tortola except what the ships will offer. The Tuesday before last was Disney's last trip to St. Martin."

For those interested, the monthly rent at the new buildings on Orient will be 2500€ for the restaurants and 1100€ for the boutiques. The operators will also be permitted to be opened at night.

Hi. I am interested, how do you know what the rents are going to be? Was there another online story about it? Have the units been allocated yet, do you know?

There was a very brief article in today's ''Le Pélican''. I am a paid subscriber so it is not possible to include a link.
Not much more was said besides the fact that they will soon be able to let the operators know when they can take posession of the businesses.

OK, thanks.

What was the monthly rent before? We were happy with the way it was. Hopefully, this was not just a plan to get new wealthy clients or friends of government, in the locations. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I have no idea what the previous rent was or the arrangements but it is too late as it has already been "fixed"

Are they talking of October of 2016 as they will really miss this season. How much in US dollars is the rent.I liked the old places with more old time fell.Thanks for any comments

As of today, that's $2730.68 per month. Just use the currency calculator

Ok and thanks.

I saw no mention of October 2016. Where does that come from?

For a change I'm with you Scubaman.

The rough translation in the first post says, "expected for mid-October". I think the poster who asked about October 2016 thought that meant that the expected completion date was next October, since this October has already past. I believe that's where the October, 2016 comment comes from.

Ah-so. A remarkable deduction. You are very wise most honorable GaKaye.

And as a rarity we agree on that one too. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

It was a question, not a statement.

Sounds like no lunches at Chez Leandra's, for us, this time around. Good food, good prices, good selection, and most of all-they appreciated the business. They fed us well one rainy January late afternoon, when most of the others in that area were shutting down. We have enjoyed giving them business every year since. Hope they can pay the rent, and still have something left for their labor.

I think it came from the headline in the link. They were expected for mid-October (this year) but are late so the operators will have a shortened high season

Does anyone know approximately what time the names will be released for occupancy of the CARBETS? I realize island time.... I just checked Faxinfo - which is usually on top of breaking news - and nothing yet about who has been approved.

Here is another article from today with a few pictures.

The article says the project has been completed and the selected candidates will be contacted by mail.

Rents are set at 2500€ for restaurants, 1500€ for a large boutique, 1000€ for a small boutique, 100€ for a market stand and 600€ for watersports.

Thanks to all who did read the article as I did about the mid October.Did think that was funny as the buildings are complete now..May get there again next year to view new stuff. Happy Holidays.

Google translate says
"The soundtrack carbets project is complete, as we announced last Friday. With more than 80 applications for Temporary Occupation Authorization (AOT), the Community has made its choice: 25 farmers were selected at the last Executive Council. Successful and unsuccessful people will be notified by mail. After months of work, the AW34 plot is about to relive eight restaurants, four shops, a craft market and boating activities. On tariffs lots, they were stopped at the Executive Board of 17 November. The monthly rent for a restaurant is set at 2,500 euros, for a trade, three rates are applied: 1500 euros for a large shop, 1000 euros for a small shop and 100 euros for a small hut on the market. The rent for a nautical base is 600 euros."

"Soundtrack" "Farmers"??? Try it with Babelfish - google's translation obviously has some issues.

Yeah, I thought there were some issues there... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Actually, babelfish came up with "soundtracks" and "farmers" also.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

The translation to "Soundtrack" comes from the "BO" (Baie Orientale), in French B.O. can be short for Bande Originale which is translated to Soundtrack.

I had no idea why it would say "soundtrack" - thanks for explanation on that. When I first read the report, I just read "exploitants" as something like "vendors" - when I put the word "exploitants" into babelfish just now, it says "operators" - which makes sense.

Exploitant,e alone usually means "farmer" but when teamed with a noun such as restaurant, it would be restaurant owner or operator. I guess that because the article previously mentioned the use of the caberets people would understand its use as "operator".

BTW, a quick internet search shows that "Carbet" is defined as "a cabana or building used as a shelter." :>)

A Carbet is typical of the West Indies. It is a building or a room, with no walls and just a roof to protect from rain and sun.

Further south, in Martinique all houses have Carbets as living rooms.

Nothing to do Cabarets !

Anything new to report on the openings of any of these buildings? time is sure going by for those people involved. I had today as my pick. I guess that's not going to win the drink. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" />

Nothing open yet. We haven't seen much activity aside from the gardeners for the last week. We asked Niko (sp) while on the Tiko Tiko cruise today. He said the new tenants haven't been notified yet(despite what was published), but also said he didn't expect to see anything happening until January 2. While walking back from the cruise, we did notice a security guard in the area.

If the security guard is a permanent thing, that is a very GOOD thing to me..

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.