Kirk said:maytrix said:
Yeah, while destroyed has been used a little too much in places, I think it is fair to say BEYC is destroyed. Saba looks like it could be repaired. The building is much more intact.
It will be interesting over the years to see who rebuilds and who doesn't. There will certainly be more then a few that don't.
Makes me think of all the Billy Bones/Pirates rebuilds. I suppose some places could do some smaller scale semi-temporary builds before redoing the whole place. Small food and drinks for tourists/cruisers...helps the clients and creates revenue/jobs.
Some destinations were getting so busy it was hard to get a ball and a dinner reservation. After people get their homes rebuilt, then they need jobs....
Sure there will be some beach bars screwed and nailed together following the Bomba and early White Bay model.
The rebuilds of BEYC and others will require massive private equity cash investments. Those players will want to see the airlift and airport fixed allowing easy access daily to US hubs. The BVI will need to decide whether they will slip into a 3rd world niche or join the 21st Century shorter stay travel hospitality experience. Either direct all hours nice ferry service direct from STT or a new massive runway will be the key to the cash infusion the BVI needs to feed its people. Today on the US mainland new hotel rooms cost $500 a square foot to create. Renovations post a storm almost always cost more that building new from a clean slate. The BVI was much more expensive to do anything pre storm. With all the broken up stuff from Barbuda to Tennessee the BVI will have to fight and compete hard for investment dollars. Any delay and the insurance dollars collected will simply be parked someplace else.
"After people get their homes rebuilt"
Jobs must come first to provide the cash to rebuild. In the days of social media there will be no partial or soft openings. Social Media can kill a brand with just a couple of bad posts. The smart money will follow the Little Dix play in progress. Close completely and reopen/relaunch when the project and newly trained staff is ready.