All roads lead to Dartville
You have made up your minds. There is little anyone can say that will change your likes and dislikes when it comes to political thought and policy. I will not try to change your mind. Rather, this letter serves to enlighten and inform and to make clear what I see that others may have overlooked. In the Wizard of OZ, the Yellow Brick Road led to Emerald City, the golden glowing edifice that Dorothy and her friends were seeking in desperation for having their greatest wishes granted.
If you know the story, you know the Wizard turned out to be just a regular man who used trickery to deceive people in order to make Oz look most inviting.
In Cayman we have a similar scenario happening in the form of Camana Bay. And of course we all know who the Wizard is. I will not express my opinion on this matter. My concern lies more with the Yellow Brick Road. There is a major difference between the Yellow Brick Road leading to Oz and the roads leading to Camana Bay. The yellow brick road was barren. It meandered through hollow forests and open meadow. There was no commerce along that road. No place to stop and get a meal or see a movie. It was simply a means of getting the traveler to Oz.
In Cayman, all roads used to lead to the Capital of George Town. It was once the center of commerce. It was our Oz. Now we have a Wizard amongst us who has built his own Oz which I called Camana Bay. Of course to get there the Wizard needs a system of roads to capture the travelers and make it more likely that they will be diverted there. I have no problem with this either. If I were the Wizard I would want as many Yellow Brick Roads as possible leading to my Oz.
The problem here is this: this Wizard wants his village to be everything to everybody. In this effort he is opening shops and businesses that copy or duplicate others in the community to include, movie theater, book store, coffee shop, restaurants, clothing stores, office complexes, entertainment facilities, gyms, jewellery shops and more. It doesn’t matter to the Wizard that these establishments already exist in the community and are hurt by his doing this. He does what he wants to suit his needs under the pretense that it is for the greater good and the ultimate success of Oz. Again, although I do have a problem with this, I will not address it here.
The problem of greater concern, which most people have overlooked, is the road situation. By diverting the road on Seven Mile Beach and creating a parallel road leading to Camana Bay and his other developments, numerous existing businesses and shopping centers will have their existing Yellow Brick Road bypassed. And eventually, as the new route becomes the norm, new businesses will sprout up which the Wizard himself will likely have a hand in, whichwill completely destroy the existing businesses that managed to survive.
If this is for the greater good and serves to make us better, I would like someone to please show me what I’m missing here. If you own a business on West Bay Road and can see what’s coming, maybe now would be a good time for you to speak up.
Category: Viewpoint
Dart is one of us now. That's right. In a hundred years from now the name Dart and Ryan will be as Caymanian as names like Ebanks and Bodden are today. Dart is no longer the wealthy outsider who came here to use us for his own means. Because one of our elected officials took it upon himself to embrace this man and his grand plans for Cayman, he granted him Caymanian Status or citizenship. The promise of a brighter future for Cayman was the original intention of this alliance. Mr. Dart was not given the red carpet treatment because of his personality, past good works or his love of the Caymanian way of life. He was given the red carpet treatment because of his immense wealth and desire to develop Cayman.
BUT WAIT! Mr. Dart did not choose to open the biggest law practice or the biggest accounting firm or the largest investment company or mutual fund to compete with the existing financial sector companies and other established professional firms. Rather, he chose to build an entire town. "A New Town Blossoms" is the motto. And the centerpiece of this development is retail business. For any town to be a success it must meet the needs of those who it is designed to attract. In competing for retail dollars, Dart is hurting the very people who were supposed to benefit from his coming here.
The mom & pop businesses have been around for ages, supporting several local families through their local staff and sales. There is a finite amount of money in the economy at any given time. Where that money is spent can make or break a small business. If a resident decides to spend their money at Camana Bay, this is money that won't be spent elsewhere. It has been spent. It doesn't matter what shops open in Caymana Bay, they are all part of the retail sector of business and dollars spent there will not be spent throughout the rest of the economy. The so called “uneducated Caymanian” who operated a successful small business will begin to see a decrease in sales.
To add insult to injury, a poorly run government that has overspent is now increasing taxes on utilities and duties in order to try to cash in on the wealthy. The resultis the total obliteration of the small businessman with unbearable costs and one small business closing after another.
These “newbies” to Cayman have been given millions of our dollars in duty concessions of which much has not been repaid. We are paying huge interest on our national debt as well as on the money they owe.
Sadly, he is one of us now and we will have to suffer the consequences of this alliance being allowed to take place. The biggest task facing us now is to keep the Premiers head out of Mr. Dart’s backside.
As the Beatles wrote, "Can't Buy Me Love".
the people of cayman needs to stand up for them selfs and stop letting dart push them around because that is whats happening sooner or later we're not going to be able to go to the beach the cayman people need to stop and look around to whats happening to cayman they're letting these white men come in and take over. caynan people wont have any rights sooner or later dart already have most of the cayman islands and bush needs to stop giving in to him and help the cayman people he dont know it yet but dart will treat him just like everyone else once he gets what he wants i cant believe the cayman people let dart get so much of cayman. the people should all stop going to his places and stop feeding the cayman dollars to him. thats why the other islands said NO to him cayman should say no to him to and stop letting him push them around because thats what hes doing if the cayman people dont do something this whole island name will be change to dartvilli it wont be cayman islands anymore so you cayman people drive around in your nice cars and live in your nice houses and just sit back and watch whats going to happen you wont like it so the time to act is now stop dart and stop him now bush needs to step down because he is not for the people he is for him self JUST SAY NO TO DART STOP HIM NOW BECAUSE LATER WILL BE TO LATE
Yea like thats going to happen.
If you don't want a man like Dart to be your savior than you will have to make Cayman a lot more business friendly or business possible than it is now. But you don't want that either do you. You want only Caymanian run businesses and not any expat paper Caymanian business. Well OK. Then you need to have educated, dedicated and business minded Caymanians to do that. You don't have that now and there is nothing in place to get anyone to that level. So your stuck wtih what you can get.
We don't need a savior. Cayman was a tourist attracttion and financial center long before Dart arrived on the island.
He is now buying as many businesses or putting the small ones out of business by competing with them. He's done most of what he does by putting monies in the pockets of the politicians.
Maybe you should check with the other islands thtat kicked him out.
Maybe you should check on how your tourism businesses and financiall services are doing on their own without any help from anyone before you try and kick someone who is helping out?
The only time a project will be done well and on time in Cayman is if a non Caymanian does it. Look at Cayman for the last 6 years. Look at the rest of the developed world. Cayman will not keep up. But that is what Caymanians want. Get used to it or leave. Pay the high fees, licenses, duty (that will not go toward helping you or your business) or leave. Hire our umemployable over any good expat worker or leave. Build it our way or leave. build what we want not what you want or leave. Don't tell us how to do anything becuse we can not listen or learn anything new. Did I miss anything? Isn't this what Cayman is telling the rest of the world? Or anyone who will try to do anything on the island for the island? Am I wrong or is this the message most of these anti Dart comments are saying? If you really don;t want any "others" on your island maybe you shoudl just say so. I think us others are getting the message.
Right now I amfurious. I am not a born Caymanian. I have lived here for over 30 years and it is my Home.
ynative country and stop bashing our peoople for their opinions.
This is not bashing. Just telling it like it is and asking if thats what it is. I think you have answered my question. What many of the Caymanian posters are doing IS bashing. Are you furious at what Cayman has become? Are you furious at how the world sees you? Are you furious at how expats in general view how they are treated by Caymanains? Or are you just furious because you were born a Caymanian? If all you know is ynative country you should know more. It gets better. If all you want to be is one of the Caymanian peoople thats OK but its not what everyone wants.
I believe it was Karl Marx who said, "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs". Not a very capitalistic way of living for sure. There is a balance that needs to be found between Capitalism and Socialism. The immense wealth in Cayman is not trickling down. The exact opposite is happening. The poor are now going hungry, we have no proper mental health institution, no welfare system, no financial aid for the unemployed. Attracting the mega yacht crowd here and building developments to keep them in the style to which they've become accustomed is not working and will never work.
As the financial sector begins to fade into the sunset, there will be little here to support Cayman. The wealthy developers will be faced with the choice of parting with their cash to solve the social crisis in order to protect their investment or throw in the towel and leave.
Our politicians are entirely to blame for the social deterioration of Cayman. Their short sightedness, lack of proper planning and partnering with "deep[ pockets" has landed us in our current predicament. You as an outsider come here and throw insults at the very people who allowed you to come here to work. No doubt you will be doing little to help anyone while you are here. You may throw some money at the problem and feel that you have done your part but none of what you do will be geared toward making positive changes in the fiber of our society. When you are finished with us you will move on to the next employer you can impress with your talents. After all, it's all about you isn't it?
Positive change can only come when people put others first. (But you and I know that isn't likely).
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs".
Well said writer, you should be the leader of the country, unfortunately we are not. Caymanians long for men and women with your vision of leadership. Please contribute to Viewpoint our young and not so young people need your words of wisdom. Thank you so very much for your insight.
The majority of Caymanians have become drunk on political power, materalistic and money hungry, they are worshipers of the almighty dollar rather than the "God" of the universe. Nothing will change until it's too late. So for all those who want the big developments go ahead and get it but be prepared for what comes with it, there is a price to be paid and I just hope you, your children and your children's children are willing to pay it. Due to globalization there are not many countries that openly accept migration and will let foreigners enter to live and work any more with an education just imagine when you don't have one.
This thead is full of a bunch of sick minded people intent on stiffling development in Cayman. Dart the company is here because Dart the man (men) had the forethought and wherewithall to develop something. He is putting money into Cayman to make money. We are all lucky to have such a benefactor. EVERY Caymanian businessman who has put money into Cayman to make money back, is EXACTLY the same, but on a different level financially. We all put money in, hoping, praying, to get our money, and a return, back.
So when a foreign entity with deeper pockets comes in, we smack them down. In reality, how many Caymanians have REALLY been hurt by Dart. Not perception, REALITY. And those that have, how many were existing in spite of themselves? Conducting business as Caymanians knowing the consumer had to come to them???
I am Caymanian. I own a business. I have always conducted this with the highest level of customer support, and ensured the customer walks away thinking they got WAY more bang for their buck, and a much better experience than they could get anywhere else. And I am successfull.
I suspect, the complainers are the ones operating half a$$ – paying LOW wages, demanding overtime, not paying pension, overtime or vacation time, and enslaving their workers.
I have loyal employees, paid well, with health and pension and all other benefits as well as a good working environment and other additional perks.
Quit the whining, clean up your own house, and then, if pride, and jealousy can be overcome, perhaps we can all still exist!!!
Here's where your thinking is wrong. You are praising the fact that a wealthy outsider graciously came here and invested heavily in our economy through development. The only reason he was able to do this is because he was given full Caymanian Status. We could easily give Status to the wealthy who presently live here or those we would like to attract from overseas. The problem is that this defeats the 60-40 Caymanian protection law that says all companies must be at least 60% owned by Caymanians. Of course the average Caymanian couldn't possible have enough money to become a true 60% partner to someone like Dart. This leaves us with a choice. Do away with the 60-40 law and simply give status to the wealthy developers. They will of course own everything in sight and the original Caymanians will be beholding to them for their livelihoods. It is almost a form of legalized slavery.If this is what you think is good for the country then by all means lets develop the hell out of it. However, if you want to protect Caymanians from being ruled by the wealthy developers then keep the 60-40 law in place and enforce it. It is a rock and a hard place but you have to chose which way you want it. You can't have it both ways because it simply will not work that way. Dart is now a full Caymania who is capable of being anyone's 60% parter who wishes to come here and open a business. Now do you see the can of worms that has been opened?
XXXX
Cayman did not even rank in the recent standings of the Financial Times survey. Costa Rica came in first place. Costa Rica has an open immigration policy and invites foreign investment in a big way. The result is they got ranked as number one. The problem with this is that 99% of all the homes in Costa Rica have burglar bars on their windows and doors. When your in your house looking out through the bars it's like being in your own little prison. It is a common fact as can be seen worldwide that when big developers and foreign investors freely invade a country, it lowers the standard of living for the locals. Crime grows out of control. This is now beginning to happen here. More and more crimes will be crimes of economy where people have to steal and rob in order to survive and feed their families. Dart may be getting richer but the government is not. We still don't have decent social welfare programs in place to care for the unemployed, elderly, mentally impaired and the needy. It will be our downfall in the end. Keep praising Dart as you watch the rest of Cayman go to the dogs.
You're Farked up. I have deep pockets and have looked into starting businesses here. I am told I need a Caymanian partner who will control 60% of the company. Should I seek out a total stranger or ask Mr. Dart if he would like to volunteer to be my partner? The playing field isn't very level here. I will take my money and ideas where there are less constraints.
You said "He is putting money into Cayman to make money. We are all lucky to have such a benefactor".
You don't seem to understand that these statements are mutually contradictory. A benefactor is a person who GIVES money or other help to a person or cause. Nothing in Mr. Dart's history would lead me to believe that he is a benefactor. Instead, he is a shrewd and sometimes ruthless businessman. His ultimate goal is further increase his wealth and power; he is not motivated by a soft spot for us, community parks notwithstanding. He has an end game in view you are too naive to understand it.
No matter what his ultimate intent he has and will be doing Cayman a favor that Cayman does not have the ability to do for itself. This also seems like its a problem for you. You should hope that he will not get tired of helping people who go out of their way to criticize and try to put him down for it. Hopefully he can see that is just what Caymanians do now days and not take it personal. or not.
Cult of the Personality
http://www.fpif.org/articles/investors_aim_to_profit_from_zambias_poverty
Who’s afraid of Ken Dart? Given the current economic environment in the world, there are dozens of countries begging for “ any “ capital investment – Long term or otherwise. However, the Dart family’s investments here in Cayman are huge and require decades to see any ROI. Without capital, without creative and intellectual input from citizens of other nations and without the forward thinking Caymanians of the past this country might still be subsisting on turtles.
What about Ken’s vulture lending reputation? So, what? It’s legal and forces countries to get their proverbial sh*t together. Example: Greece – Hugely mismanaged by socialist politicians for years and the country just kept on spending at levels it could never support. They are now seeking long term loans ( issuing gov’t bonds ) . If you had the money would you lend to them? Would you expect a return on your investment? Without consequences for poor financial management ( holding the debtor to account ) there are no lessons learned and no need for financial reform.
More to the point, what Mr. Dart does is above board and legal. What dozens of Wall Street banks, the US Gov’t, the ratings agencies and mortgage companies perpetrated on the US population and then sold around the world via CDO’s is truly criminal.
The only thing to be afraid of is reverting, out of fear and ignorance, to a state of xenophobia and undoing decades of progress that many intelligent Caymanians of previous generations sought for this country.
Thank you! Well written.
You sure missed the point of the article, didn't you? The point is, vulture capitalism stamps out the small local entrepreneur and businesses who do not have the pockets to compete with the mega-rich who have extremely deep pockets. The only reason this group is here is because of the tax-free benefits, not for love of this Cayman. When you have one group dominating many industries and markets and buying up businesses etc, that is the first death knell for competition – one needs healthy competition for a strong economy and that is why Governments have certain laws against anti-competitive practices to protect others from vulture capitalism. Yes, Wall Street and others perpetrated financial crime that helped cause this recession, but so do others who give up their citizenship so as not to pay taxes to their country – their actions may be legal in the strict sense of the word, but it sure ain't moral.
Writer ACC you are misleading people by tring to write about a subject you know little about, your facts are skewed, as a result to get your points across in themost dramatic way. Do you really believe the vast investments by the Dart is for the love of the Cayman people and not to gain a monolopy? If you believe this then this tells me all I need to know about you.
I agree with your argument in that without input from citizen of other nations and without the forward thinking Caymanians of the past this country might still be subsisting on turtles (by the way, it served it purpose in that era and was just as important as tourism and the financial industry of today) Have you looked at the other side of the coin and see that the reverse is also true; many citizens from other countries came here with nothing more than two suits of clothes and an ideas but due to investment monies and lands from Caymanians they were able to become wealthy beyond anything that they could have imagined or invision in their country of origin.
Cayman minus the socialist politicians of Greece is down the same path, or haven't you notice? maybe you should take you head out of the sand, take a walk around and talk to residents of this country.
Dart is very much above board and legal and so was Goldman Sachs mortgage structuring and marketing of CDO tied to subprime mortagages and we know what happened in that instance or have you conveniently forgotten that debauchery?
In my opinion cayman have not reverted due to fear and ignorance to a state of xenophobia; Cayman is regressing due to greed and over indulgence of a few money hungry closed minded Caymanians who's only allegiance is to the almighty dollar. If anything it seems as if reverse ethnocentrism would bring you great pleasure where you would love to see ALL Caymanians chant "how wonderful it is to have the Dart and every foreign investor here; we must become like them." I would however, remind you that every culture has its strenghts and weakness; to assume that the investor and his culture is perfect is misguided thinking.
i's take dartville over george town/booden town/east end….any day!
If you don't already live in Dartville let me remind you that they also sell residential properties and will welcome you with open arms, so never mind living in GT/BT and EE, go straight to Dartville they will love to have you there, please rest assured that the people of GT/BT and EE won't shed a tear to see you go live there as a matter of fact let us know so that we can throw you a big good riddance party and we will play you the song "Hit the Road Jack and don't you come back no more no more"!
nice…cayman kind!
I like shopping and spending time at Camana Bay because it is the closest thing to civilisation here. Also I know that the miserable sods who say they won't go there won't be there.
The tourists come to Cayman to escape your so called "civilisation". If they wanted Miami etc. they could get it without leaving the U.S.
Poster 12:22 your statement is so correct. The majority of high end tourist come to Cayman and go elsewhere to escape the so called "civilisation" that the confused writer finds Camana Bay to be. The high end tourist won't even consider that area because that is exactly what they are running from. The poor confused soul have no idea of what high end tourists wants maybe they should take a trip to Anguilla, BVI, Bora Bora, the Seychelles Islands, Roatan Honduras, Corn Islands Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Strawberry Hills Jamaica and Cuba. I could go on to list so many more destinations that even in these economic hard times are still doing well with high end tourist that know and appreciate the simple yet sophisticated pleasures of life. Again I pity the poor soul as he/she is clueless as to the many "old money" (families) rich people who use to visit Cayman back in the days before the overdevelopment of West Bay Beach and the "civilized" Dartville that has stopped coming here for annual vacations. Families with massive wealth that own islands and empires in Europe with vast land holding in Manhattan, founders of massive shopping chains such as (Kmart/Sears), numerous millionairs from back in the 1970s that were listed yearly in Forbes Fortune Five Hundred magazine and I could go on and on because I met and had the good fortunate to know many of those people and their families who I know sadly will never again visit Cayman for those priceless vacations due to "Civilized" development.
You know, I do enjoy Camana Bay, but you have a good point. I have to admit that the "simple yet sophisticated" pleasures Cayman offered fifteen years ago were the very reasons I made it my home, and I often wondered over the years why Cayman's governments didn't do more to institute a building code to preserve or enhance something of its special nature. When they started allowing seven stories on the beachfront and disjointed development in Georgetown, I couldn't believe they were so short-sighted. It isn't as though there aren't enough case studies in the world to show how quickly an environment can be spoiled by poor planning.
However, Camana Bay is perhaps the only developed space in Cayman that offers an enjoyable and attractive atmosphere at present. Could it have had a morelocal flavour? Probably. Is it what tourists are looking for? I would guess not. But it is head and shoulders above Georgetown. And sitting on the Crescent is in many ways much more enjoyable than sitting in the shadow of some huge apartment block on the beach, minding that you don't put a plebeian toe over the high water mark.
The problem is not Camana Bay, per se. The problem is that development in general, particularly since Ivan, has taken a turn for the worse, and governments seem to have been more concerned with quantity than with quality of life. I think it's unfair to blame Dart, since he, at least, has taken some pains to make his developments attractive and welcoming to residents. What we lacked, we lacked long before Camana Bay…and that was a bit of foresight and an integrated building/tourism plan.
But what you fail to comprehend is that they do not want third world. And that is what the rest of Cayman is turning back to. We understand that third world peole are more comfortable in a third world atmosphere but not tourist from any developed country.
Unlike Cuba and other exclusive destinations, Cayman's beaches are not off limits to Caymanians. Tourist and local enjoy what the island has to offer together. The new data published by The Financial Times of Londaon shows Cayman with one of the highest standards of living in the world. Far from a banana republic. I think you would be more suited to spend your vacation at the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disney world where you can enjoy your so called civilization and sip pina coladas all in the same day. The only drawback is that Disney World does not have Seven Mile beach, or Rum Point or Stingray City.
You think all the beaches in Cayman are public unlike Cuba and other destinations, try using the so call public beach areas of "Ritz-Carlton (formerly Holiday Inn), Beach Club and many other and see what you are being told by their security guards.
I really pity you but maybe soon you will wake up from your beauty sleep and be kissed by the real world that now exists in Cayman.
Please elaborate. The last time I checked all beaches were public property up to the high water mark. No seccurity guard has the authority over anyone on any beach.
When I came here many years ago, there was a woman in her 80's who lived in East End. She had been to Bodden Town twice in her life and never saw the skyscrapers of George Town. She was happy, content and wanted for nothing. Life was simple. Everyone had a job who wanted one.
It was not third world. It was a beautful, unspoiled little place that people came here to see and experience and fall in love with. They returned over and over. If anything, your so called "civilization" is slowly eroding what was once attractive into somehing over develped and ugly to the core.
Sorry to have hit a nerve. what in your opinion is Cayman turning into? Maybe third world was a bit harsh and not on point. the Cayman of the past was not third world and did not have the problems of the present Cayman.
That's exactly the problem. People don't come to visit civilization, they come here to get away from it. I doubt any tourist will book a trip to Cayman and ask the travel agent to be sure that Camana Bay is on the itinerary. I have spoken to a dozen tourists who fly in and now go directly to East End and spend their entire time there because they say the West end is over developed and congested. This is their rightand it is good that they still have an alternative to your civilization.
The local residents can likewise chose to do as you do or to enjoy a less civilized life elsewhere. I don't see the need to refer to such people as "miserable sods" just because they chose a different lifestyle than you. My biggest hope is that you are an expat who will eventually be rolled out of here and back to what you call civilization.
if east end is popular why is there so little there??
You answered your own question. It is so popular because there is so little there!
if you want to see 'popular' look at smb!
if that was true cayman brac would be a tourist hot-spot!….the reality is that you have no clue about what tourists want or expect from a vacation
Except what they tell me directly.
I beg to differ from your comments. How dare you suggest that only the Camana Bay residents and businesses are civilised? The three Cayman Islands have always had the highest standard of living than anywhere else in the Caribbean. That was until the dictator, McDinejad came into power and has run us right to the edge of being a third world country in less than 3 years. Because we have to do without, just to be able to eat, does not mean that we are uncivilised. The only people who are uncivilised in this island are the people who are assisting this dictator to turn us into a third world country and he is too uneducated and full of himself to see that when Cayman sinks, he will also sink as he will also lose what he has gained by any means possible, regardless of who suffers in the meantime. Maybe you should go back to your civilised country and get out of ours.
what small minded, small town rubbish….. dart should do a willy wonka and shut up shop for a few years……see how you like it then!
Indeed let him go right ahead and see how many people will starve to death or go homeless. At the sametime do us a favour and do likewise.
"Starve to death and go homeless": Isn't that what is happening now with Dart here? How can his leaving make things worse?
Ya Ya we have heard that before. X pats whould boycot for a week to see how much they are needed. Same verse different words.
I have a better idea. Keep things as they are so the UK can come in and take over as in Turks & Caicos. Then they will of course institute a system of income tax which will of course result in Mr. Dart abandoing his efforts here as he did in the U.S. and seek out a new tax haven that will have him. The tax man is to Dart what kryptonite was to Superman.
And by the way, I have lived life here with Dart and before Dart. Going back to the days before Dart would be a blessing.
For some real insight, try a Google search on "Poison Darts in Court". You will find the part about taxes and brain death most interesting.
Oh well the sooner the better atleast we won't have to be accused of being a corrupt destination, that many in the world is trying to ruin at all cost. Maybe the UK will be able to protect and save our financial industry as she does Jersey, Guernsey and London.
Should the UK takeover Cayman today and implement any taxes that very day or the next not a single Exempt Company would leave on the basis of paying taxes. Most if not all Exempt Companies apply for Tax Exemption (which until about a year ago only paid $500 for such a priviledge now it is up to $1,500.00) this exempts them from paying any kind of taxes for 25 years.
Don't be too happy for taxes because most of these Companies such as the malls, hotels and the great 7 wonder of the Cayman Islands called Camana Bay won't have to pay a dime in taxes in this generation. We the Caymanian people are who will have to pay the taxes at the end of day.
Yes yes. If the UK took over and did stupid fool fool things then you would be right in your opinion. If they would just stop the rediculous spending and throwing away of money that is happening now and for the last 10 years Cayman would have plenty of money comeing in to finish off all the many unfinished projects, pay all the unpaid bills and maybe even change Caymans third world Government status. They can't do any more harm then what you call Government right now.
However if the UK took over right now many many people who are now on the recieving end of the money slide would be out of work and in the same boat as the rest of Cayman. There would be lots of Crying and nashing of teeth going but it would be drowned out by the cheering of the many who now pay.
Please explain. Exempt Ccompanies are not allowed to do business in Cayman. They are for Caymanians who do business overseas. If you are implying that the Dart Corporation is an Exempt Company, then how can he be doing business here?
And of course Dart won't have any personal income tax to pay since he hasno income due to the huge loss he can write off for Camana Bay.
Please note: Dart cannot be an Exempt Company because such companies are not allowed to do business in Cayman as the exerpt below shows.
Exempt Companies are prohibited from conducting business within the Cayman Islands unless it is necessarily involved with other offshore operations. Exempt companies may also freely change their Memorandum and Articles of Association, needing only to notify the Registrar should they do so. This arrangement is advantageous to companies who wish to establish offshore operations in the Cayman Islands.
we are a small town – let us not try to fit into boots way bigger than us. We need not try so hard to be someplace else or copy other models.We should also be weary of total control – and that is in retail, real estate, duty free, waste, construction etc. Total control by one Wizard.
Yes, Camana Bay is a lovely setting and it is a joy to watch the children splash in the fountain, listen to the public book readings, enjoy a walk along the dock and look into the shops….until dark. It is sad and shameful that after dark our local poor parents just cut their kids loose to lurk about, act completely disrespectful, and ruin it for the civilized rest.
Wake up your horrible parents! Camana Bay is NOT your babysitting service. You cannot leave your kids as young a 11 years old to wander around and seek out the older teen hoodlums. You cannot take 7 year olds into R-rated movies just to selfishly satisfy your night out.
Maybe I'm not there as late as you are, but I have never actually seen any teen in Camana Bay behaving in a disrespectful manner. Mostly they are just standing around with their friends, people watching or having ice cream, or waiting for the cinema to open like everyone else. Do you think it could just be that people find groups of teens intimidating when they are not used to them? Or maybe I just haven't seen the disrespectful behaviour you have seen. Could you be more specific? Actually, I am generally very impressed by the teens here. Most that I run into are fairly polite!
I have heard a few things, but never seen it with my own eyes.
You should go search for the answer to your question on your own. I just hope you don't have teens and drop them off for a night of fun at the Cinema without any adult supervision. Very soon you will get the surprise of your life and you will remind me of a past leader who when told there were gangs in the school was quick to say "we don't have gangs; just groups of boys" how we not only have gangs we have gangs, gangsters, Dons and Baby Mamas. Keep the belief that the young people who frequent Camana Bay without parental supervision are all "saints" soon you will also see sinners, devils and some not so many other choice names.
Um…I didn't say that all teens who frequent CB are "saints" — and nor are the adults who use the facilities. I said teens are usually there to do the same things everyone does.
And no, I do not have teens. I have two children under 7 who are always with me when they visit CB. For the record, they have been treated very nicely by the teens we have seen. I have no doubt that there are gangs in Cayman; I simply haven't seen them at CB. As I said, I have heard stories (of drug use, for instance), but haven't seen anything myself.
If you can point to specific instances, it might be more helpful for any CB employees and/or parents reading. And no, I am not a Dart employee. I am, however, a high school teacher, and I really hate to see all teens lumped together as "gangsters, dons and baby mamas". We have some lovely kids in Cayman and they deserve your respect and the benefit of your doubt. Let's not throw out the whole bushel for the sake of a few bad apples.
Besides, the behavior you cite is nothing new. It simply used to occur on Walker's Road, or in private homes, or downtown. Yes, there is bad behavior amongst some of our teens. But it is also true that Cayman is simply not used to seeing large groups of teens congregating in one place, and many people find them intimidating, even when they are doing nothing wrong.
By the way, the last time I attended church (which granted, was a very long time ago now), I was told we are ALL sinners.
It is not Camana Bay or the relocation of the road that results in businesses closing down. It is the fact that we have mostly greedy landlords who still want to charge incredible high rent for store and office space (which sometimes is driven by the outrageous high insurance they have to pay in turn) despite the fact that there is a world wide recession.
This coupled with high utility bills will make every business struggle, especially when located in a country with a relatively small population.
Whilethere are some business I really feel bad for having to close down, others got what they deserved because they were ripping of their customers for years without hestitation.
Poor K Puige (grin), you are precisely on the money but as you can see by so many of the reactions posted by "the sheeple", you are beating a lonely drum to which so many are deaf.
We actually refer to the place as "Dartrocity" in my family, which those who have seen the kids animated movie, Megamind, will understand.
We also boycott the place in the vain hope that by registering our lonely protests against the slow but inevitable monopolization of local commerce XXXX it might make others realize how detrimental the long term effects will be. Most of them have no idea who they are dealing with and are far too lazy to do any research whatsoever, so they continue to bray about "progress" and "benefits" unable to stoop an pull their heads out of where they are apparently firmly stuck.
In short their knowledge of the four letter word beginning with "D" is just about that…..for them that is more than enough to convince themselves they are informed and that their lame spite towards any detractor is justified. Let them go back to their overpriced movie tickets, gymnasium, and all the other expensive frivolities and distractions the Wizard has provided for them in their "new town" so-called. A town where the vast majority will never have any hope of living of course and, let's be honest, they're not expected to; having spent their disposable income to ensure the big D's ROI they can **** off back to wherever they came from. If they're lucky they might get a job in the empire – in exchange for a lousy underpaid position with minimum vacation time and long hours, so that they can then feed all their money back to the "hand that feeds them".
To be honest it's a soulless place in any case, and ugly and overpriced to boot. Like most modern developments such as malls and "superstores" and "new towns" that have destroyed villages, town centers/downtown and small businesses throughout the UK and the US over recent decades, Dartrocity has nothing to do with community whatsoever – at least not in the sense that their PR spin suggests. Sadly the Oz worshippers see nothing but a bright and rosy utopia in which they feel they have a genuine stake.
Before long, it will be difficult to spend what little money you may have without a fair lump of it ending up in the coffers of the island's new owner – most people have no idea how many fingers are already in how many pies, both public and private.
While the wealthy elite are given break after break, XXXXX, small businesses are stifled and milked for every last penny – no breaks for those with empty pockets; only for those who approach life with the view that they can buy anything and anyone – literally.
Those who have mocked your view will wake up to find that the pattern will follow its regular and predictable route and before they know it they themselves will be owned – either as "employees" or simply as consumers held hostage to whatever prices the monopoly sees fit to charge them, owning as it does imports, wholesale and retail of the bulk of commodities on this small island having destroyed any and all threat of competition.
Oh those shortsighted and "clever" types who post their drivel here will wail and bemoan their situation and the "unfairness" of it all, when there is no going back, like spoiled children who thought the cookies in the jar would always be sweet and free…….to them, the warm and beckoning promise of Oz leads them like lambs to the slaughter. They have not the wit to see the parallels and metaphors both you and L. Frank Baum have provided in attempts to enlighten them.
It's a club and most of you are not in it. If you don't get it, all one can say to you all is "baaaaah baaaah baaah….."
YOU NAILED IT…..
Imagine a Cayman with no expats or expat business and no expat money flowing in. Caymanians would have to make money off on Caymanians who make money off of????? What? Selling land? Maybe for while. Selling food? Grown here or brought (bought) elswhere? What does Cayman have that can be traded for food, shelter, fuel, etc.
If you can't be nice to anyone who is bringing business (money) to your island then you can't see the reason things are so expensive here right now.
Why preach hatred instead of talking logic?
Sorry I thought it was logic. Where is the hatred? Was it the statement "if you can't be nice?"
Money doesn't grow here either. We send it away for food and other stuff. It only comes back when tourists, investors or the financial industry brings it back. Baring these sources makes us totally reliant on Mr. Dart for our money supply. If his development is not seen as favourable by tourists (which it appears not to be) then we can count that industry out too. Tourists used to come here because it wasn't like everywhereelse.
Caymanians survived and had really good lives before Dart came here. It was a quiet little island with almost no crime and full employment. I know this old Cayman and miss it and unless you were able to experience it you will never know what you missed. What has happened here is a damned shame!
Are you seriously implying that Cayman changed only after Mr. Dart came here? Get real!!! The changes were happening and no one took notice or didn't care – we just rode the wave.
Dart came here in the 90's…back then, it was kinda perfect. I miss that time.
Wrong! We protestes loudly when it was announced that Dart has plans to remove the mangroves on the land now called Caymana Bay. We did not sit back and watch. There was a tremendous uproar. But guess who was in power at that time who allowed it to happen despite the public outcry. I'll give you a hint: MB.
What has happened is a large population growth without the education to keep up with it. Hence the need for off island skill and money. Or is this another its all the expats and expat moneys fault? Darts investment is going to help but its not Dart or his money that Cayman has been living off of all these years its the financial industry and tourism. In other words expat (or off island, non Caymanian, etc.) or their money that has fed Cayman so far. Is there something I missed?.
If I may say, the large population growth without education came about as a result of migration here not by native birth rate. I believe natives are at a ratio of 10 to one or maybe even more. I will agree Cayman has benefitted from the financial industry and tourism but this is also reciprocal. The financial industry got more from Cayman than they gave and tourists got a priceless vacation. Right again expats and their money has fed Cayman so far and again it is also reciprocal, Cayman and Caymanians have traded with the world and have enjoyed vacations as tourists in ever cornor of this great world since its begining. I doubt it very much that we paid by white sand. So I will say to you get over yourself, Cayman needs the world just as much as the world needs Cayman.
So you are saying that those who have come out of school in the last few years are up to todays standards. And most who are not have migrated here from elsewhere without an education?
Reply to Anon: Tues 15:21
Yes, you missed the days before there was an offshore financial industry here. When the men went to sea and worked hard to send money back home much like you are doing now. In spite of our lack of natural resources, we were able to lead simple lives that centered around each other rather than the want of "things". Newer generations are as brainwashed here as anywhere else in the world with easy access to media of all types. We welcomed foreigners who came here to buy our beaches and build hotels and condos. Little did we know that these same people who we sold our souls to would turn around and call us backward ignorant idiot natives who don't like work and can't keep up with the rest of the world. You sort of remind me of one of those lost tribes discovered in the Amazon rainforest that existed for centuries isolated from the world. Then outsiders discovered them and introduced disease, famine and the end of their otherwise pure existence. You may place blame as you like but the result is still the same and it can't be undone.
Cayman's version of the Chewbaca defense
I don't have to imagine a Cayman without expats I've experienced it and it was a wonderful time where we knew each other, money, it was only a necessity then, we did not worship it. Selling land? not very long ago Caymanians owned from sea to sea on this rock. When you and all the expats like you leave we will have a wonderful time and by expats I don't mean people not born here with generational ties. I simply mean those people some born here and others not born here who are no more Caymanian than the person who came here yesterday and choose to be Caymanian in heart and deed and there are many amongst us that we will never consider expats instead they are as Caymanian as those of us with years of generations, but as for you expat writer please leave and carry your like minded friends.
anon 1931 you must be extremely old.
To a certain extent we are all expats.
It is just that in the past we were not fighting for jobs and life was not as stressful as today.
In the past there was no reason to fight for jobs. There was full employment. Every Caymanian who wanted to work was guaranteed a job.
Its the same way now. Lots of jobs that could be done by Caymanians if they would just show up.
Thanks for the advice, now just let us (Caymanians know where you and your friends work) and we most certainly will show up to claim our jobs and our birthrights and heritage. Thank you so very much for the heads up on the jobs.
wow what a go -getter! but you be taking any expat job!
sorry, you had that chance when my work permit went for renewal!!!
Can I get some of what this guy is drinking?
As you wish.
oh yes…the good ole days…….zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
don't forget to take out your false teeth gramps!!!!!
As long as you are discussing the beautification of downtown George Town don't forget the future home of the port added to the mix. Certainly this will add to the beauty and warmth of the downtown hub.
It is ridiculous to blame Dart for the condition of the downtown. Clearly Dart has raised the bar in the country.
It has always been my opinion that the overbuilding of the school project was in competition with the Dart construction. Is this stupidity possible? You bet.
Does anyone remember when Dart bought Anchorage and the West Eind Building he went to Elmslie Church and offered to move it to another location. They wisely refused.
If this is not an indication that he wants to own all of George Town and as much of the rest of Grand Cayman what is…
I personally don't think that the businesses in Camana Bay will drive out other local businesses. I don't think jewelery stores are not usually frequented by residents anyway (except during the Christmas season etc). The book store, well, it was about time to get a bigger book store and I think the Book Nook has it's loyal customers, and Hobbies and Books hasn't done anything to improve their store and inventory for years, so clearly people move on.
For restaurants, if you have good food at reasonable prices with pleasant service, people will return. So what else is there really in Caman Bay shop wise that runs so many other local businesses in the ground?
In general, if you have treated your clients respectful and didn't try to rip them off, provides good quality products and informed staff, I don't think that a road detour on such a small scale should have a big impact on your business.
Fort Street Market – CLOSED
Bacchus – CLOSED
Miami Subs downtown – CLOSED
A La Kebab – CLOSED
Maedac MidTown – CLOSED
Wendy's (Walkers Rd) – CLOSED
Crap jewellery "outlet" – OPENED
Another crap jewellery "outlet" – OPENED
A place to buy t-shirts with pirates on them – OPENED
Another place to buy t-shirts with pirates on them – OPENED
The problem is the greed of landlords ramping up rents to cash in on the bottom-feeding cruise ship tourist dollar and the lacking of any zoning plan for George Town.
Remember "YOU MUST VISIT THIS STORE" – by "must" I mean "never, unless you love tasteless tatt".
Great advertisment.
Please take your head out of the sand…
Business closures are more likely related to landlords refusal to lower the exhorbitant rents, and the global economy. How is the closure of these restaurants tie in with the article about Dart, Caymana Bay, and the closure of West Bay Road? If they had closed because of increased competition in Caymana Bay, you might have an argument… but last time I checked, there werent any fast food places there.
Competition is good for the economy, at least everywhere but Cayman (if you read the comments). Prices get lowered, customer service improves, and people will frequent the places they enjoy to shop / eat. As a consumer, I welcome the new book store, the new movie theatre, new restaurants and shops. The old theatre with the intermission was outdated… now we can watch movies in 3D. Now if only we could get a real McDonalds….
WOW! Did I say all of that? Admittedly my post is perhaps in the wrong place, but ifyou read the 3 pages of posts I think you'll find there's a lot of posts pointing out that the ghost town that GT desperately needs a revamp and more stores (at reasonable rents) because the customer base is already in GT, just the stores aren't, undoubtedly because as you say, business rents are indeed exhorbitant.
I don't disagree with what you say at all, I'm just hungry!
I'm sure all of the Wendy’s customers were in a rush to sit and eat at Michaels……
If Governments would have put their thinking hats on donkey years ago they would have moved the courthouse and legislative assembly by now and made way for some little street cafes and restaurant, offering local food, local arts, local made goods and give people a chance to listen and dance to local music. They would have built a nice boardwalk and made downtown a pedestrian only area (at least for certain hours). Most importantly, they would have developed this in a way that keeps the residence of this Island in mind because NOBODY should ever build their business on tourism alone. There will come a time for everyone where they need the business of local people and such a time has come now.
Instead, we have a STUPID heroes square which nobody even slows done to take a look at! No shade, no benches, no nice landscaping, nothing, Just a lot of sun, heat and some stupid meaningless monuments!
Dart is only doing what Caymanians have allowed him to do (whether it is indirect or direct).
– The land that Dart now owns belonged to Caymanians at one point – they chose to sell it.
– The planning permissions he received given was by Caymanians – they are the ones that sit on the board
– The government is made up of Caymanians – they are the ones who arrange the special deals etc
– Caymanians continue to vote in people who have been in politics for years and are not able to bring any new throught process to the table.
This place has been run in the ground by its own people and not by someone else who came here as whoever comes here can only do what we allow them to do. Unfortunately, greed has taken over and is now the Island's dictator.
Take out the word "Dart" and replace it with "Caymanians only" and you have the reason for all of Caymans problems.
I have never been to Camana Bay and don't plan on ever going there. I have lived here for 30 years and I support my local shops that I grew up with. When I go to my favorite stores they greet by name. I get wonderful service. I will not betray them by shopping at Camana Bay. My support will hopefully help these older shops survive. I am not alone. I know of several others who like me, have not been there and will not go to Caman Bay for the same reasons.
I opposed this project before it began and am still opposed. Although I do use the new road and pass Caymana Bay often, I will not go in.
Wow – talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. Mind you, I notice you pick and chose to use what is convenient to you – the bypass. Congrats, your entitlement mentallity has been verified as 100% in place. My guess if they held an event you really wanted to go to you would find a way to justify bending your rules – people with an attitude like yours usually do!!!
Mind you, please don't change, it may just be the absence of ignorant morons with bass ackwards thinking that makes the atmosphere at Camana Bay such a pleasure for the rest of us…
Dear Farque,
I have learned in life that when people respond with insults as you do rather than rational adult discussion that it indicates they don't have a solid base to argue from. The first line of the viewpoint was right. No one's minds will be changed.
Moreover, if you are an example of the type of people that Camana Bay attracts then you havehelped me to confirm that my choice to avoid it is well founded.
Thanks for that.
You must be referring to our Premier when you said.
"I have learned in life that when people respond with insults as you do rather than rational adult discussion that it indicates they don't have a solid base to argue from"
Mac is the man cutting the deal with Dart. Do I feel comfortable about that. NO!!!
Your screen name couldn't be more fitting!!!
Great news! I leke Camana bay more already. Thanks for being considerate to the rest of us. Wish more like you were more like you.
Mr. Dart (and his partners whoever they may be) have "disposable" income. These projects are always sold as a benefit to the community. Just like Wal Mart, Home Depot, etc. Look at Anytown, U.S.A. to see what takes place. The entire town goes down. There should be a longer view taken. But this government. And previous governments. Don't take that view. As a matter of fact They couldn't find it's a##es with both hands in a hall full of mirrors. Anyone here ever played Monopoly? This is it. George Town is Boardwalk. Camana Bay is Park Place.
Camana Bay, is nothing more than Cayman's Trojan horse. You had better enjoy your cookie cutter Boca Raton city while you still can. Don't worry about George Town being dead with nothing to do, give the Cayman Islands 2-5 years and it will be either overpopulated or an empty island.
One thing I will bet for sure the majority of native Caymanians won't be able to shop, eat, hang out, attend school, live or find employment at Camana Bay, so to those who choose to enjoy it while it lasts I say go right ahead and have fun but remember the drought and that famine is nearer than you think save some for the leaner times. Just don't spend it all at Camana Bay. To date the greatest mistake of humans is the failure to listen to advise and to learn from the mistake of others.
"One thing I will bet for sure the majority of native Caymanians won't be able to shop, eat, hang out, attend school, live or find employment at Camana Bay." And whose fault is this?
The majority of Caymanians would not be able to get or hold employment anywhere but Cayman and Whose fault is that?
My advise? Educate and train yourselves up to modern day standards so you can compete and prosper on your own. Or follow your leaders and talk but don't listen.
And while your at it mabe stop bitting the hand that feeds you and your childrens future.
Cayman is Cayman, not Boca. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Don't come in to a country and tell them they needto come up to world standards and be like everyone else. If Cayman were like everywhere else then there would be no reason to visit here which is exactly what is happening.
Could you please be more specific as to how Camana Bay is helping the community? I see the poverty rate and unemployment rates increasing since it opened. I see tourism down, empty condos and failing restaurants, increased electricity cost and gasoline taxes. The cost of living is now at all-time highs. I know Dart gives much to charities but this is not the support we need. Charitable giving becomes part of the price he pays for the damage caused by his development in the first place.
I own a small business here and am constantly being asked for donations for various causes. Recently I was asked to contribute to a public shool programme by Government. I am small and cannot afford such donations due to the ever increasing cost of doing business here. Why don't these people go to Dart or the Ritz and ask them for a change. They are the only ones with deep pockets at our expense. As the poverty situation grows and grows I fully expect Dart to support the charities and the needy that have become that way in part due to his grand plan.
Camana Bay is not the cause of tourism being down, condos not being rented, failing restaurants, increased electricity costss or gasoline taxes.
You might as well blame Dart for Hurricane Ivan.
I thought dart had done that?…no.???
And yet you still want Cayman to prosper? You want it to be able to compete with the rest of the world? If your Government was to be held accountable like most developed countries there would be plenty of money to take care of the people of Cayman and it would not need help. Instead of holding your leadership accountable you beg or try to force everyone else to help you out. Good luck with that. Or just keep up the usual let Cayman stay Cayman and you will not have to worry about pleasing anyone but the Caymanians still lefton island to pay off your massive debt. It must be nice to not be able to comprehend the future.
"If your Government was to be held accountable like most developed countries…" HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
"… still left on island to pay off your massive debt"
like most developed countries? What world have you been living in over the past decade?
Cayman is not a country … yet.
Although I feel it may be hurtling towards us quicker than we think or like.
If only we could all be as well educated as you, "Truth". I'm sure all of us experience envy when reading your misspelled, appallingly punctuated, semi-literate insults.
How much did your parents have to pay to develop your exemplary intellect I wonder?
I'm sure your employer must be so proud to have you and the obvious benefit you confer upon them, and indeded all of us, by virtue of all the "training to modern day standards" you have so clearly mastered.
You ****wit.
Jealous much?
I was against moving the publicly owned West Bay Road by a private person and taking away my view of the ocean. However, I do like the idea he plans for the hotel and think it will be good for Cayman overall. I like the idea about not connecting West Bay Road to the new road extension. I think it should be kept apart even if they run close to each other. The choice of which road to take should be made deeper into West Bay in my opinion. If it were done this way Iwould have no problem with the road movement. Otherwise I am against it and do see people chosing the new road over the old road which will hurt businesses.
Mr.Pigue,
You'll probably trot out the line that i'm missing the point but a less congested West Bay Road may actually be better for commerce conducted by businesses located there, provided of course the quality of their product is good.
Speaking of monopolies – monopolies are nothing new in Cayman. Our own big business Caymanians have kept down the little business Caymanians through monopolies for decades now. Perhaps they are getting a taste of their own medicine, and will have to adjust their prices, customer service and the injustices to their employees.
Adjusting prices etc. aren't the issue. Camana Bay businesses can be subsidised so as to drive out the competition.
dart is a double edged sword…..the developments are amazing, but lets be frank, theyre wholly overbuilt for this island and are simply leading the direction of this island away from a tropical idyll into a mini-usa-anytown…which is a shame…they'd not be out of place in new york or vegas…someone once said he's put 1/2Billion into the ground in Camana Bay!! how can he ever get this money back? the fact is, he doesnt have to…..and thats the double edged sword….he operates from a wholly unfair (to everyone else detriment) economic model…..all of his businesses on island can operate at losses and he'll never shut them down…indeed, i bet they do operate at losses….maybe we should force them to operate at a profit and share their$$'s!!! (ha ha)…..he'll never shut one down, not until he has ran all the competition into the ground, which is happening slowly…..its great for him and his employees…..but not for everyone else…..when people say he's good for cayman because of the investment, its factually correct to an extent, but morally wrong..and he's keeping a lot of the investment vertically directed with his own construction company building on his own land, or his own retail buying from his own wholesale…..over time, he'll have stopped any chance downtown GT and non-dart businesses have of competing…..and thats wrong….these guys are on a 50-100 yr mission…..and we;re all letting it happen…..it looks great, sort of….if you like non-tropical buildings in the caribbean…..and a very, very few will get very, very wealthy……but the rest of us…..we're all driving by on the yellow brick road, unable to afford the $6 popcorn or the $50 dinners………
Below I'll attempt to give a very rough idea on how Dart can get his money back even if he has investored 1/2 billion into the project. Let me begin by saying this is entirely speculative and I'm sure the reality of the sitution will vary GREATLY from what I layout below. Below is only meant to provide a VERY basic scenerio on how the money can be made back using VERY conservitive numbers. The example below also assumes Dart has this capital in-hand and isn't using loans and thus has no interest to consider (which I don't know for certain is correct, but from my understanding of his wealth seems a reasonable assumption).
So lets begin with -500,000,000 in original capital outlay. Caymana consists of 500 acres. The majority of that will be residential lots/condos/etc which are just about to become available. I admittedly have no basis for this number, but for the sake of this exercise lets assume, 300 acres ends up being used used for residential/condos/etc. I don't know what those lots will sell for, but lets use a crazy low number and say 150,000 per 1/4 acre lot. Obviously, that is a crazy low number considering similar lots in Crystal Harbor, etc can go for 2/3 times that amount but lets be very conservitive here.
So 150,000 per 1/4 acre means 600,000 per acre. 600,000 times 300 acres means 180,000,000. So if we reduce the original -500,000,000 by the 180,000,000, there is -230,000,000 remaining.
Next lets look at office space. The Caymana Bay website says they have 300,000 sq ft of office space. I have no idea what office space at Caymana Bay goes for, so I just did a quick search on the internet to find there is 625 sq ft of office space at Selkirk Plaza for CI2,100 per month. That comes to CI3.36 per sq ft per month. I think we can all probably agree Caymana Bay office space goes for a fair bit more than Selkirk Plaza, but again to be super conservitive we'll use that number. So 300,000 sq ft @ Caymana Bay times 3.36 per sq ft per month is 1,008,000 per month or 12,096,000 per year.
So if we take the remaining -230,000,000 and devide by the 12,096,000 per year. We find all the original -230,000,000 will be paid back and will be gaining a profit in around 26.5 years.
This obviously doesn't even consider the residential rentals, retail rentals, etc at Caymana Bay and other sources of income. That combined with crazy low estimates I'm using for value of propertly and rental space means my 26.5 years is really probably crazy high. For example, if you adjust the residental lots to be valued at 250,000 per 1/4 acre and office space to be CI5 per sq ft per month, the calculation is then being all paid off in around 11 years.
Anyway, I hope the above gives a basic example on how Caymana Bay can become profitable. Make no mistake though. This is not some get rich quick scheme. This is long-term investment for wealth preservation. It isn't about "let me get rich". It is about "I'm already rich, how can I use that to ensure my family over coming generations will also be rich".
The best thing about this, is as a long-term investment Dart is tied in a very significant way to the prosperity of the Cayman Islands over the long-term. If Cayman comes crashing down he will lose a ton of money. Thus while he should be applauded for a lot of the good works he does with community parks, helping with the landfill, basically donating money to the government to help people stay in their homes, etc; also make no mistake that this it is also in his own best interest. Having so much invested in Cayman means he will do what he can to ensure it succeeds, because if Cayman falls his investment falls with it.
Your numbers are indeed conservative. I estimated the cost at closer to a billion. You forgot the maintenance fees, employee costs, utilities and insurance cost. This project will not pay for itself for generations and possibly never. It is definitely the nicest property in the neighborhood (Cayman) and it would be impossible to find a buyer if it were to be put up for sale. No one would buy Camana Bay because the payback period of their investment would take longer than they would be alive. This removes the investment value from the picture.
Dart now has the most to lose if Cayman goes "bottoms up". He has paid dearly for his Caymanian Status and is now living tax-free which is really all he wanted in the first place. He did after all give up his U.S citizenship solely for the purpose of tax avoidance. What may look like a ton of money to most of us is pocket change for Dart.
Camana Bay makes no economic sense. It is an exercise in economic futility. The real rub is that the consequence of it all is the adverse effect it has on the smaller independent mom & pop stores that are now folding.
Absolutely agree about leaving out stuff. I completely skipped a great deal of expenses (maintenance, insurance, etc, etc) as well as gains (appreciation of value the land over time, retail rental, residential properly rentals, etc, etc). The point was simply to showat a very high level how these hugely expensive projects which seem can never break even can and in fact often do end up being very profitable for those who under take them. Not by any means meant to be an accurate accounting of the project because for one I have no idea about the true numbers nor do I have the time even if I did 🙂
I will say however, that by no means do I think Dart is a charity giving things away at a loss over the long term, nor do I believe it is some Dr. Evil type plan to lose hundreds of millions or billions of dollars simply to try to ruin Cayman. Both of those are a bit obsurd. It is a long term investment where if Cayman does well over time, his investment will also do very well over time.
I've shopped a little at Camana Bay and wonder which stores are competing with local mom and pop stores in Cayman? It seems to me that the Camana Bay stores are very high end and somewhat unique in their product offering.
I have no doubt that mom and pop stores are hurting, people don't have money to spend. But I don't think the problem is made any worse by the stores at Camana Bay.
The probable future of Cayman:
– Crime will continue to increase and become more violent.
– Dart and Dart-like developers will build self contained developments.
– Razor wire and M-16s will appear to enclose the self contained developments.
– People on the inside of the razor wire will live a prosperous first world life style.
– People on the outside of the razor wire will enclose their homes in burgler bars.
– Businesses on the inside of the razor wire will cater to a prosperous first world environment and the tourists who will be afraid to venture outside the razor wire.
– Businesses on the outside of the razor wire will cater to impoverished locals.
– The gap between the haves (insiders) and the have-nots (outsiders) will become increasingly obsene and lead to social unrest outside the razor wire.
– Caymanians (outsiders) will be largely excluded from the self contained developments except for the tame politicians who passed laws favouring the self contained developments. These tame politicians will be tolerated but never fully accepted by the insiders.
The possible future for Cayman:
– A crop of young, well educated, hard working, and, above all, ethical Caymanians will step up to lead Cayman.
– They will foster a cultural and economic climate that will build a strong, productive, educated and prosperous Caymanian middle class.
– They will lead by example.
I, sadly, suspect that the probable future will unfold. However, I pray and work for the possible.
Instead of whining and looking for "young, well-educated, hard working Caymanians" to step us, why don't you step up and do something about it?
Besides, why do you assume Caymanians will be on the outside? I look around the "first world neighborhoods" and see plenty of Caymanians living there. I look around the corporate boardrooms and see a lot of Caymanian faces. I look around the expensive restaurants and see many Caymanians eating and drinking. I look around the small businesses that cater to high-end clientele and see mostly Caymanian owners.
So is a problem of Caymanians vs. ex-pats? Or Caymanian "haves' vs. Caymanian "have-nots"? I suspect its the latter but people prefer to blame "outsiders" because it makes for better politics.
I have a suggestion for you," Sophia Town, SA", now go read and understand.
OK – but let us just pretend for a moment Caymanians were defined as people who are originally from here? Do you still see what you see?
Define originally? There are no people originally from here. there are only first comers and laterons. Same type of people just different attitudes.
I am glad I will be on the inisde of the wire. That is just reward for hard work and effort. When this is implemented we will not need to worry about crime and will be protected more effectively from the local criminal elements.
Camana Bay didn't kill downtown. Besides thetheater and a couple of high priced cafes/bars, there is little "to do" there. What's killing downtown is no shade/palms on the sidewalks, no flowers, a crappy-looking cruise terminal, restaurants that suck, no place to walk without getting honked at or run over, el cheapo shops that charge ridiculous prices, hardly any local products or anything else charming, no convenient parking, and terrible traffic flow. Then you roll up the sidewalks at dark and it becomes a scary empty place at night.
How come there's no usable, attractive promenade along the water? Where are the trees and flowers along the streets? Why aren't there any awnings and covered sidewalks? Why hasn't Fort George been restored to a more attractive ruin? How come not a single building has been built in the historic style of the old custom house/government building or Pedro Castle? Why does every building looks like something from the back side of the Miami airport? No, Camana Bay didn't kill downtown, it committed suicide.
To Sat 19:05
You have some good points but I disagree with your major point.
George Town DID NOT commit suicide.
It was stabbed it to death, by the CI Government, and we the people, have allowed it to happen.
Knife #1 – Ineffective Planning, Government makes the laws and the Dept. of Planning overseas them when it comes to development and town planning.
Knife #2 – Government pays an ill-equipped person to manage local craft market.
Knife #3 – Dart – Government lets his organizations do what Dart wants.
Knife #3 – Goernment cut close to 30% from the National TRUST budget over the last 2 years (National Trust owns Fort George)
CI National Gallery
George Town is failing because of Government’s failure to plan, police, fund objectively and lead by good example.
In other words Caymanians are killing Cayman. Easy to see, hard to stop.
Instead of the Premier giving all this money to organisations to build the nation he should get some proper Caymanian town planners and revatilize GT not let it fall into despair so that his ForCayman Alliance team can move in and take over. Are Caymanians so blind that they cannot see or imagine what is about to happen, gentrification, there are only three areas of Cayman that is in the way of this, Rock Hole, Scranton Community and Walter Road.
For heavens sake Caymanian wake up and see Bro Jones is at the door preaching love and brotherhood, and all the people are following over the edge of Hog Sty Bay, and those who won't will be forced to drink the Kool Aid…. good luck I am going to run in the Iron Wood Forest until the UK come to the rescue.
Best article I have read in a long time. The Wizard also reminds me of the Pied Piper, play enough sweet, enchanting and mind-numbing music to get the masses behind you. Dazzle them with the bright lights so they don't see what's really going on. Only too late will they realize they are living in a country that is being mostly run / owned by a monopolistic empire that makes sure that the business keeps coming their way while other Caymanian- owned businesses suffer because they lack the resources to compete with a group that has deep pockets. Other countries wised up to what this group was doing and kicked them out, but Cayman welcomed them with open arms. Sad.
As the argument over roads, shops and commerce continues, perhaps the single most important factor has been ignored. We Caymanians and our hyper-environmentally sensitive government (sic) had the chance to build simple, light rail or monorail rapid transit systems for people to travel. We chose to build more roads instead and, like a broken clockwork toy, continue chundle round in circles building more roads, tomore subdivisions, destroying more habitat, etc. etc. We could still build the systems, but we won't because it requires politically forward and creative thinking which is something we lack.
Green Hornet I cannot agree with you more. Once upon a time long before Dart's Camana Bay and the by pass road that leads to his properties. There was the master ground transportation plan that would have covered all that and more but no the then opposition whipped up the people and sold them a bag of horse manure and we all know what happened to that. Twenty years later government was forced to spend about 10 times as much for a 1/3 of the entire master ground transportation plan.
Camana Bay is seen as the best thing to happen to these islands since, electricy and the telephone. For those of us who know and don't know the Camana Bay concept was invisioned and planned for these islands long before the Cayman Islands popped up on Mr. Dart's radar. The concept of GT being like Bermuda was planned long ago but yet again it was killed by some greedy, smooth talking Caymanians who were only look after their own interest the same kind that killed the hospital because it was being built in a swamp away from the flight path. Yet pity the same fools are how lauding Camana Bay as the best thing to happen to Cayman a city set on a hill it would seem not built in as much a swamp as the then proposed Dr. Hortor's hospital.
Cayman's problem is Caymanians and will continue to be until we figure it out. Due to the lack of knowledge my people perish. An all wise animal once made this statement "My People"!
I am not sure I understand exactly how businesses will be harmed by the move in the road as I can't imagine choosing not to go somewhere because of an additional 20 seconds of driving. However, I am willing to keep an open-mind on this because there could be factors that I am not considering.
Give me 3 examples of businesses that people think will be negatively impacted by this move – I will have a think and then let you know my thoughts.
Thanks for having an open minded attitude on this. The primary problem here is not so much the re-routing of traffic away from existing businesses and toward Caymana Bay, it is more the problem of defeating the original purpose of the two road system. Consider this question: Would you have a problem with West Bay Road merely looping behind the hotel and remaining separate from the extension road? This allows for two roads into town to spread out the traffic and reduce tie-ups. By joining them together at the exit from West Bay, most people will likely stay on the new road and we are back to a "one road" problem.
No doubt people will find their way to business along West Bay Road when they need to but it will become more inconvenient.
This is a valid point and I agree that they should try to keep two separate roads. I guess the only thing that DART would say is that new road will be two lanes which should help with traffic.
However, that is not what the original article was about.
Hey, Pig Tail, what sense does two roads make? The addition of the roundabouts will temper the speeding that comes with a long straight stretch while keeping flow going between the roads – it is a scientifically proven fact, that when used properly, roundabouts keep traffic flowing. Of course, we now have to look at ourselves and ask – are we using the roundabouts properly????? THAT is another story…
How's that tempering of the speeding going when they have just installed crash barriers on the roundabout south of the Ritz and rumble strips to try and get people to slow down before they get to it?
If the traffic is diverted to the new road ALL of yhe businesses will be effected.
ok – then naming three or more should be easy. Go ahead and name some.
How about the three gas stations for starters.
Hey, Doofus – ya think they are going to put new gas stations on the bypass??? Got it in your conspiracy-ridden little noggin that Uncle Dart is gonna slap a Chevron Station on the corner at Camana Bay??
Wow – ya really got me here…
I venture to say, businesses may actually BENEFIT from the move. I for one live on the south side of town. The WB Road traffic is a big deterrent to going shopping up north, so I don't. However, if the traffic was lessened, I might go more often – and, if fancy strikes, fill up my car with gas there instead of in town…
The road isn't being "diverted". One will still have easy access to all the business on the West Bay Road.
I think you mean "inconvenient access". The elevated pedestrian walkways are good enough for the Hyatt and the Ritz, why is this not good enough for Dart? The word "diverted" is an understatement. West Bay Road is being "connected" to the extension. Returning back will indeed be inconvenient.
If someone choses to stay on the new road and realizes they need gas, they will have to exit the the new road and cut back to West Bay Road to find a gas station. Then they have a choice, drive all the way back to the bypass or stay on West Bay Road. If that's not inconvenient then what is?
Build the pedestrian walkway and leave the road alone. I might also remind the public that this road movement was originally presented verbally without pictures and it was told to us by Dart's representative that the road would be re-routed behind the hotel. There was no mention of it joining the extension bypass or of any round-abouts. The picture tells a different story.
Dear Poor K.,
We always knew you had the brains of the Pigue family.
Your intelligence is going to upset the Wizard and Cousin "pure of heart". You better watch out before they put you on a spit with some BBQ Sauce!
Love Petunia
Response to Anon 13:34 "he is opening shops and".
You are misinformed. Several of the businesses at Caymana Bay are financially supported by Dart or directly partnering with him since these businesses would fail on their own merit. The proof is shown by who is signing the checks for these companies when they make local purchases. It is Dart.
I challenge pro Darters to put yourself in the place of the small business people being hurt. You have sunk your life savings into your business, you and many employees depend on it for their livelihoods and there are no laws or regulations to protect you from monopolistic practices. You would have quite a different view of the matter.
If you're a salaried employee of Dart or Civil service with job security then your views cannot be taken seriously. Try building your own life from nothing and have someone like Dart come along and crush it.
I do so hate competition too
It can't be considered true competition because Dart has considerable government pull
The contract for the dump was won in free competition. (CTC) bush took that away and gave it to Dart.
Tell me is that "Free Competition?"
Pepto works great for the pain caused by sour grapes.
My business does very well by providing proper customer service, clean and well kept environment, happy well paid employees and making it a place my customers WANT to come to to do business… Although the Cayman way is to rush to try the new guy when they open up, if the new guy doesn't cut it, the customers come back. If the new guy does it better and in a more pleasurable way, the old guy has to adapt or die – it is classic evolution.. A good example of failing to adapt would be the old cinema – they could have lowered prices, offered more older movies at lower prices, made other changes, but they didn't and the better company won. An example of the opposite situation is the supermarkets and wholesale stores on the island. As new companies have come in, the existing ones have had to get more competitive – and they have. For all the moaning and groaning that goes on, the prices locally have gotten far more competitive both amoungst the different companies as well as versus importing it yourself.
My going to Caymana Bay has nothing to do with the road. I greatly enjoy the movie theater there for example because they get new releases right away instead of having to wait weeks. I like the shops there because they stay open decent hours so I don't need to take time off work to run and do my shopping.
In short, the road isn't the issue to me at least. My business goes to those who provide the best product in the most convient way. I have no problem driving a couple extra minutes for it.
Boy, You really missed the point.
Really? What was the point you got from it? I thought the point was the traffic being diverted would cause people to favor Caymana Bay shop so the ditrement of existing shops on SMB. My reply said the change in the road to cause an extra 1 minute drive won't effect where I take my business. Instead my business will go where the better product is offered or where it is offered on a schedule that works for me.
Seems pretty relevant.
Here's what your 1 extra minute of drive time adds up to. For the average salaried worker, one minute equals 30 cents of their pay. Multiplythis times 300 work days per year times 5000 workers and you get $450,000.00 cost per year for that extra drive time. Time is money.
I will ask you to as I have others, Do you have a problem with keeping the two roads separate and simply loop West Bay Road around the back of the hotel? If you have a problem with this then why?
Maybe that would be true and maybe it wouldn't. Maybe extending the bypass up to WB will give more people easy access to the bypass so saves people gas money getting into town. Really though I have no reliable numbers to base such an argument on so I won't attempt to make such an argument based on baseless speculation (I suggest you do the same).
As I'd answered above, I have no real problem with seperate roads, but also think it is a bit silly. A much better solution to traffic congestion would simply be to add additional lanes each direction to the existing bypass. Having two seperate roads right next to each other where you cannot get between them and you have to drive a couple extra miles to get to the bypass when you can see it just a few feet away I'm sure would lead to a lot of "what were these idiots who created these roads thinking", but frustrated drivers over the years.
You realize that the future of west bay road is that it will be a 25 mph road and that the bypass will eventually be 4 lanes and 40 mph from west bay?
You missed the point too. It's about having two separate roads as was originally planned in order to spread out traffic jams from West Bay. Joining them together makes no sense. My secondary point is that it just so happens that the man moving the road to link to the new road is the same man who will benefit from it.
Would you have a problem with West Bay Road being looped around the back of the hotel and kept separate from the new extension? I would enjoy hearing your answer and your reason.
Maybe I lost it in the original article. Can you quote the part concerning traffic congestion? I'd be interested to read that part, but still cannot find it above.
Now to your question… I'd have no problem with there being two seperate roads I guess. However, from a practical perspective I'd thing widening the existing bypass to be two lanes each direction would be the better solution to deal with traffic.
The article specifically addresses the joining of West Bay Road to the extension. It is known by most that the extention was built to relieve congestion on the main road. I did not think it was necessary to spell that out. I am happy you agree that it would be ok to keep the roads separate. This would resolve many of the problems people have with the way the road is currently being attached to the extension.
I welcome the plan for the hotel and the idea of beachfront access for the guests without crossing a road. Such a development can only benefitCayman. For that I am grateful.
Fair enought I guess at for the most part. However, what I don't think is completely fair is writing an article saying:
"The problem of greater concern, which most people have overlooked, is the road situation. By diverting the road on Seven Mile Beach and creating a parallel road leading to Camana Bay and his other developments, numerous existing businesses and shopping centers will have their existing Yellow Brick Road bypassed. And eventually, as the new route becomes the norm, new businesses will sprout up which the Wizard himself will likely have a hand in, which will completely destroy the existing businesses that managed to survive."
And never once mentioning anything about road congestion. Then in comments where people reply to the exact points raised in the article, you reply that they are "missing the point", because they didn't reply to a point never actually raised by the article. I agree road congestion may be an issue. But to reply people are "missing the point" when they reply directly to the points made in the article because they didn't reply to a seperate point never raised in the article is a bit unfair.
There are none so blind as those who will not see
There are none so deaf as those who will not hear
There are none so dumb as those who will not learn!
….and the beat goes on…
While Nero fiddled Rome Burned, but that was a long time ago but why bother to read and learn from history?
Wake UP Cayman Islands the invisible Camana BawWizard is also an In Invisible Pied Piper, entertainment will lead them astray any time!
Talk about the future without learning from the past is today's polticial ignorant "substance substance…" chant.
Oh, let the Lord forbid competition and market variances! We must protect those who offer substandard service! Let's kill the Yellow Brick Road because it's unfair. Boo-freaking-hoo.
I suppose you've never travelled to a far away restaurant or shop because of the selection they had and/orthe service they provided when another place was closer?
Do better. Perform better. Offer people more of what they want and less of what they don't and business will thrive.
I think you are missing the point. Soon there will be no competition at all but instead one giant monoply – something they would not permit in the U.S. under their anti-trust laws.
Only because his only competition is Caymanian run and every one knows they can't stack up against anyone else because well you know. Is that your point? Keep the bar low so you can compete? Or let skill and intelligence free to better this country? We know what your choice is. Dart is not the only one who can do it better. But he is the only one so far with the balls and the money to get in. Once he is in(and he is) people will want things done right instead of well the way they are done now. then comes the begining of the end of all things fool fool.
But in the US they are great about letting the best service for the least amount of money and the country is great because of it. Its not Darts fault that they are so much better at getting hard things done then the select few who allowed to try now. What Cayman needs is more Dart like companys. A lot more. Then you will have your competition. For a better Cayman. But that is not your point is it?
My point is that the market is being locked up by Dart so there won't be such competition. His economic power wields considerable political clout.
Correct, that is not my point. Connecting West Bay Road to the new extension is my point. The side benefit is that Dart is doing it and it happens to be a road passing through his properites.
My major concern which I ask you to address is this. Would you have a problem with looping West Bay Road around the back of the hotel without joining it to the existing extension road? In other words keeping the two roads separate as was originally planned in order to keep traffic jams from happening?
My point is that by joining the two so close to the most populated area in Cayman defeats the purpose of a two road system.
The U.S. has anti-trust laws that serve to prevent monopolistic practices. Large competing companies are oftentimes not allowed to merge into a conglomerate because of the hurt it puts on the smaller firms and the potential for price fixiing. Cayman has no such laws and hasn't needed them until now.
Also, the libertarians don't believe in anti-trust laws. They do believe that true monopolies only arise through government intervention. That is what is happening here. The other far side of the coin agrees with you from another perspective.
I think you either don't understand what a monoply is or what Caymana Bay is. Dart doesn't own every business in Caymana Bay. They are individually owned by seperate people/organizations. Those people just happen to rent space there like people do at all of the other strip malls, office complexes, etc on the island.
What % of the total retail space, office space, etc on the island do you think Dart owns? 1%? 5%? Far from anything resembling a monopoly right?
LIke the liqour stores right? Why does he need to own 3 major liquour branches on the island?… stop being stupid
00: 09 Who was it that sold those compaines to Dart? Caymanians right?
Big Daddies previous owner Mr Dilbert came out in the press and thanked the Dart organisation for purchasing his business since no one esle was interested, go ask him yourself, he will likely be in the Brac fishing. Clevland approached the Dart company MORE than one occasion.
So why is that you did not offer to buy the Big Daddies chain? or would it have been just fine for Clevland to close his doors and reap nothing for his almost 25 years of toil for nothing?
My comment was about monopolization, I have no idea why your going on about who sold what to who.
16:52 you clearly do not know what you are talking about, go ask all the retail store owners in Camana Bay who owns the business, and you will find all but one is Camanian owned, the one that is not has Dart as a partner. Get the facts right before you make "claims"
you also missed the point
Dart is killing competition my friend!
It is obvious that many people do not understand the impact Dart presence in Cayman is having on the other small business people. Dart is now in the T-Shirt business, retail Jewellery, Liquor business and yes, he took over Office Accommodation business. These are businesess that other Caymanians and small to medium size business people were involved in before. But alas, not so anymore. No small man will ever start a Jewellery store with $10,000 again on this island!
Yes CAMANA BAY attracts all of us, it is a bit like Las Vegas and a bit like Houston and many other big metropolitan cities, but with the Billions of dollars that the Dart group have at their disposal, they can so easily make their properties unlike any other, to attract, people just like those who do not understand, the effect he has had on other business people, what else would one expect?
Dart presence provides unfair competition to loyal small and mid size business people. Dart's superior Capital Funding power will make even the most successfull business person strive or falter. I see a lot of people who love to hang on for crumbs and are short sighted, wielding influential views, but you need to look at the whole picture before you see the important details.
Now that McKeeva and his dead wood supporters are giving him an exclusive entry in the hotel business for the next 30 years, watch so see how many new hotels will be built by other investors. Oh yes soon he will get into the building supplies business and appliances market and we will be glad to get crumbs from the table and we will be so glad.
At the end of the day…. when Camana Bay replaces, George Town, when the Premier is just a figure head Meet me in the UK after dark from May until September and in BVI or Anguilla from October until April how about that?
One thing I'll say about Dartsville is it has the forethought that was needed for our capital, GT.
What a shame we didn't have the insight to build a town/city centre right here in GT so that the yellow brick road the already leads here would have been fine as it is, and people wouldn't have to go the extra distance to get all their shopping done in one convenient location. I'm know I am straying slightly from the topic at hand, but had this been the case, cruise ship passengers, workers and everybody would have had the ability to shop, eat, go to the movies, take a night out with their friends in the one convenient place, in a nice central location where all the public transport serves. Had we had the foresight to do this ourselves (and we could still do it albeit a bit late in the day now – like closing the door after the horse has bolted), then perhaps Dartsville and his yellow brick road would not have been quite so successful and would not be such an issue now – it might no have even been built – but Mr Dart, being a commercially astute individual, saw an obvious opportunity and took it.
I have repeatedly made the point here on CNS that we need all these stores, facilities, bars, markets, cinemas, shopping malls and so on in our ghost town of a capital, to make it vibrant and attractive to all. This would more likely justify the extortionate rentals that are being charged for all the ever-increasing empty commercial properties we have in GT. People would pay the rent if the business was there and they had a way of recouping the money, and the business would be there if only there was something to do other than work, and buy watches and diamonds – that's why Dartsville is so successful – there's nothing to do in GT – its a pretty lame capital by anyones standards. Attract people, both local and visitors into the capital to do their shopping and other activities, and Cayman will finally have the 'brand' that it so obviously lacks.
Nebiew or child of the 1990s the Capital of George Town provided all that Camana Bay is now providing and much more. Let me explain to you what GT had way before Camana Bay and let you see that Dart did not invent the wheel with Camana Bay and that he did not bring Caymanians out of a cave and the dark ages into the light. So the education begins and I will just take you back 1970s to 2000 before Camana Bay.
Here is what we still have and had in Central GT prior to Camana Bay:
1. A Church in central GT which is still in operation
2. A Public Library still in operation
3. A Post Office still in operation
4. The Government Administration Office (thank God for KT decision to stay) still open
5. The Police Station/Hospital
6. The Courts Office
7. The Legislative Assembly/Town Hall
8. Financial Center (most of the banks/law firms and other financial institutions)
9. A Book Store (Hobbies & Books) still open
10. Solomon's Groceries formerly and still knows as Boosies (Hobbs) to Caymanians
Let me now take you to school as to what we use to have:
a) Five supermarkets (By Rite, Comarts, Merrens, Mr Shirley's and Kirk) within walking distance of each other
b) Two Hardware stores (HO Merren and AL Thompson) within walking distance
c) Two Bakeries (Wholesome and Mr. Peat (National House)
d) Two Movie Theaters (Cinemas to you) Bushies and Thomas Theater
e) Five Schools Ms. Gleedas, Adventist in the heart of GT, Triple C, Junior school (GT Primary) Senior School (Annex)
f) Catholic church downtown, Adventist church downtown, Chapel churches downtown
g) Four hotels (Bayview directly downtown and Seaview , Sunset House, and Casa Berthmart within walking distance)
h) A market for fresh meat and Jennet meat market
i) A Gas station down town (GT) banks, offices, homes and I could be here writing all day and still would not be able to appropriately explain GT back in the day. When and where commerce and families coexisted as one big happy and fun loving community not as this elitist wanna be community that some Caymanian crave to get into and some expats could only achieve in Cayman. So you go ahead with your Camana Bay while I will remember the good ole days and long for one of Sheila's malted milk and hamburger, Norberg patties and milkshake, easter bun, eating a steak with mushrooms from Cayman Arms resturant down town, window shopping at Arabus, Smiths, Caymania, Kirks, Ms. Margarets, Bata, Will Boddens, HO Merrens, seeing in my minds eye, Alice Bay, the old school house and the generations of GT children that learned to swim in Hog Sty Bay with the knowledge that it wilI never happen again. I will go sit at one of the last gathering places for Caymanians Dora Bay until Dart buys that and drive us off until then… I will remember the once vibrant GT where a bicyle was good enough for us and the sea breeze kept us cool year round, no need for a/c. A time when Caymanians treasured family time, laughter, love and togetherness. Yes George Town is dying like all of us will eventually do, but dear writer you will never experience the pleasure of the simple life of GT ….. when it was the center of my universe.
LMAO. Well you clearly completely lost my point and like many others are living in the past, although I am sure it is nice to reminisce. God bless you, and thank you for 'educating' me, a child of the 60's, on what I already know and very much proving my point my dear friend. I am very well aware that those businesses are there, but those are not the businesses that in this day and age will revive GT into a thriving capital and tourist attraction with a brand all of its own. They do not attract the tourists or the locals alike in droves, their products are either of no interest, of low quality and/or at extortionate cost. Unlike yourself (it seems) I am no living in the past wishing it would return, because I am relaistic enough to realise this is not possible. I have travelled to different Caribbean and European countries, and different states in the US, and I have seen how, with the right ambition, they have changed with the times and learnt to succeed and keep with the times. I am not opposed to change, I support it if it helps Cayman, and Lord knows we need help right now.
GT doesn't have to die, it could thrive once again, and I was merely suggesting a way that this could have been done long before Camana Bay was even conceived, and could still be done now. As much as I hate to admit it, Mr Dart had the vision with Camana Bay that our governments lacked with GT. They could still do it now if they had the brains and vision, but alas, no. As I said, we need supermarkets, a huge variety of stores, facilities, bars, markets, cinemas, shopping malls, sport and fitness centres, parks, car parks, perhaps a weekly fish fry night with music and entertainment at the harbour every Friday night (such as Barbados has with Oistins – a weekly event which attracts hundreds, sometimes thousands from across the entire island, and tourists too, and boosts local business tremendously), the list of possibilities for improving GT's commercial and tourist brand is endless, and the outcome guaranteed – money for local business who have the foresight to set up there, more tourists being attracted to the capital of GT because there's so much to do and so much variety to spend their dollars on, more workers and locals in the capital spending their money at business in the capital rather than taking it elsewhere, to all the business scattered all over the island, including Camana Bay, because everything they could possibly need is in the one, central, serviced and convenient location right in the centre of town, and on the doorsteps of all the offices and businesses working out of GT. Workers will no longer have to get in their cars and drive out of town to do their shopping and pay thier bills, they will be able to step out of the door of their offices, leave their cars in the car park and do their shopping in their lunch hours and/or one their way home. Its tried and tested in other countries and it works. If this was done, you watch the business that would be attracted right back into the capital.
Child of the 60s no one including you (sadly) is living in the past. In my opinion your knowledge of history is very limited or you live looking thru rose coloured glasses thus your perception of the future. First of all let me remind you that GT has history which Camana Bay does not. Like you I have travelled extensively through the Caribbean, Europe and other regions of the world include most of the USA as a result my knowledge of the world does not begin or end with a shopping trip to Walmart or a trip to Orlando to visit Disney /Universal Studios. My passion is history and its perservance thus my trips have mostly been to historic places where I have observed the preservance of years of history i.e. the Colosseum at Rome, Shirley Heights/Nelson Dockyard, Sandys Parish, Saulzburg, St. Augustine (the oldest city in the USA), Pisa, Damascus and Argos the great antiquity. I am sure that being a traveller as well you can clearly see that Camana Bay it is nothing short of a replica of Boca Raton with minor adjustments, here again Camana Bay is no great discovery rather it is only a copy of Boca's blueprint. While on the other hand GT is a work of art still in progress.
Like the typical Caymanian stop tying to convert an island into a metroplitan city it cannot and will not work. During your next vacation if you haven't yet vist Anguilla please do and you will experience true island living. Bermuda another example to show you what proper island planing should be like, not an extension of Boca or clown city as GT has turned into with these bright coloured buildings a 360 degree departure of the unique Caymanian culture and feel.
My friend you too misunderstand me. I admit I am no historian, and my posting was more aimed at vision and hope for the future rather than concentrating on the past.. I do feel strongly we should be maintaining our historic buildings however, and to that point, although its straying from the initial issue I was trying to address (saving GT), I am very saddened at the way our historic capital BT has seemingly been tossed in the refuge instead of preserved and beautified and made more of a tourist attraction.
However, back to the issue at hand, my ideas were not as you perceive them to be. Perhaps my vision is through rose tinted glasses (one can only hope), or lost in my words as I never was a good writer, and I most certainly am not a town planner. My travels have not been shopping trips or vacations, my work has taken me from one location to another. My vision, was in no way of a metropolitan city – God forbid – I already hate how americanized this place has become. My idea was more based on the English village and town model, small communities with a thriving cente. No high rise buildings, historic buildings repaired, maintained and protected, lots of things to see and do in the centre. I don't see GT as 'a work of art in progress', more like a work of art that has been left to fester, incomplete, and unattractive to most. I absolutelyy agree that we should try to keep an 'island feel' to any development in GT, or indeed across the island. I was simply suggesting that if we worked harder on making GT a small thriving shopping community, with coffee shops, bars and the like, and perhaps (inspired by Barbados) a weekly fish fry on a Friday night in the harbour, with musical entertainment, we could do something to revive interest in GT. If we can attract the tourists to spend time there, the workers to spend their lunch hours there, and the local community to shop there, there would be more supply and demand, which in turn would make opening a business there more viable, and the rentals therefore more affordable for local businesses. I absollutely second your comment about the Bermuda model and completely agree.
Hey, this is something I've been saying for while now – that we could model the town centre on a small town in UK with central amenities and shopping, and (having been to Barbados but not anywhere else like yourself) I have also said before how we could try a fish fry event on a Friday night, much like Oistins (which I loved to visit every Friday when I was in Barbados). You're right, Oistins does attract Bajans from across the island as well as the tourists each week, its a really well-attended event that produces good income for all the local fishermen there, and its great seeing everyone happy and dancing to the music every week. Something like this in GT harbour I would definitely be up for! I know if we had more shops and stores, and particularly a supermarket in town it would make my life a heck of a lot easier as I travel by public transport and have to cram all my shopping in on a Saturday – this would enable me to do it on my way home on an evening and free up my Saturday's for something else. I have often wished we had more eating places in town too, so its easier to get lunch, but everywhere seems to be closing down – I guess its not profitable enough through lack of custom, which is a shame, as I remember Fort Street Market used to be heaving with customers on a lunchtime – both cruise ship passengers and the workers from the Banks, Courthouse, Law Firms and Financial Services industry.
…I can defintely hear where you are coming from – the customer base is already right there in GT.
Thanks for the old memories however GT changed because of one thing…REAL ESTATE COSTS/RENTS GOT TOO GREAT FOR THE AVERAGE BUSINESS. Nothing to do with Camana Bay.
As the banks and lawyers, along with the increasing cruise businesses, moved into GT in the 1980s, businesses moved to Eastern avenue, Industrial park and the outskirts. This trend has been ongoing ever since. SIMPLE.
And to allay your concerns very few businesses can afford Camana Bay's rents so no need to worry about Camana Bay taking over- no milk shake and burger joint can afford it there.
Thank you so much for this trip down memory lane. I remember my childhood in Cayman as being wonderful. Amongst my fav pastimes were weekly trips to Comart with my cousin and aunt, we would get chips,soda and an Archies comic to read in the car while my aunt shopped. Innocent, carefree days-our youth today will never feel that innocence as cayman has become so materialistic. thanks again.
I know very well what you have described – don't forget Cayman High School (run by the Presbyterian Church) which was in the army barracks behind the library. However, we must recognize that most of what is no longer there, was gone long before Dart came on the scene.
Long ago, George Town became a ghost town after 5 o'clock in the afternoon – no one had the foresight to create a vibrant city. God forbit that a shop would stay open after five oclock – they would open at 8:30 in the morning (who goes shopping at 8:30 in the morning?). And to this day there is probably only A.L. Thompsons that's open until six – maybe Brand Source.
I grew up in that same town, hitch hiked around to my various jobs as a youngster and yes, they were good times.
But sadly, you are right, times change. Ask anyone who has experienced the changes in the small towns and villages across America, Canada, Europe and more.
But, change happens. It is called evolution. It is not always for the better, but for the most part, it is as a result of the market forces and the investments of those both locally and from beyond.
I rmember the old ALThompsons well. Spent many hours there. But it could never accomodate the needs of Cayman today, and ifthey had not moved and grown, the likes of Cox and Kirks with their new, shiny stores, would have eaten the ALT lunch.
And I toomiss the Cayman Arms and Bakeries – though my waistline is probably better without them… I can still taste the patties with their unique pastries and remember getting tours in the back as a school kid watching them bake.
But time has moved on, life in Cayman has changed. Today I can still find pleasures to share with my kids. Their memories will be different. They swim at Smith Cove, get treated to traditional ice cream at the little ice cream parlour on the waterfront on North Church Street (try the rum raisin and the grapenut – heaven in a cone!!!), they play in the fountains at Camana Bay and on the seashore at Sunset when we take them out for a bite. They cannot crawl under like we did as kids, searching for dropped coins, but they can still explore and have fun.
So yes, their memories are different. And they no doubt will be doing the same as we are in another 40 years, discussing the changes.
But remember, they won't remember the smoke pots, whompers and awful swarms of mosquitoes in the middle of the day downtown!!! So their have been positive changes.
Who has bought the majority of buildings and stores in George Town.??? It is Dart..
I will personally pay you $1000 if Dart owns "the majority of buildings" in George Town.
Dart owns a number of buildings in George Town. A significant number of the rest are still owned by old Caymanian families. Others by new Caymanians and still others by companies.
The big difference is that Dart has made radical improvements to the buildings they have bought and these new, eye catching, well maintained buildings stand out head and shoulders above the dated, aging ones that surround them.
You need to get off your high horse, study the facts and speak the truth – then provide me the list of owners of buildings in town showing that Dart owns most of them and I will give you your $1000.
I love the story of the wizard of oz . I was very young when i saw it first and continue to watch it still now at 57 yo. I believe Mr. Dart is a good man , a good business partner. I also feel he is a visionary . Politicians do things to please the people. But sometimes they have to make choices that will ultimately cause some people to not like them . If another powerful billionaire was to come here and not have this island at heart they could seriously do some major damage. There would be nothing that we could do about it. If i have property for sale say in East End and i was looking to sell it . Lets say it was for sale at 10 million dollars and a Caymanian wanted to buy it . Even tho i might be family to them . Mr. Next billionaire may decide he wants to buy that land or that business. He comes to my house or office or church, he then smiles introduces himself and says i would like that property ,I will offer you 10% more then the Caymanian family member of yours. Would you be upset? What could you do about it? How really would you stop a person like that? Argue with them? Tell them about their parts? Pay your cousin 20% more ? hmm…..
We could write a sequel to the Wizard of Oz. It could be a story about a super biillionaire who decides to build his own shiny new city several mile from Oz. He builds a super 4 lane yellow brick road that bypasses oz. Of course everyone would rather travel on the new faster cleaner super highway 4 lane yellow brick road which ultimately leads to the demise and crumbling of the once adored Emerald City.
Yes sirree; dartville it is.. No more small business man
True, but have you been to George Town recently? It is tatty, tired and the roads are a tangled mess. It is an eyesore. The "businesses" there exist mainly to sell junk to tourists. There is nowhere to get proper food, there is nowhere to park and it takes 25 minutes just to leave George Town at rush hour. Dart, at least, offers a clean, modern space where you can leave your car and walk around without getting honked at by buses, shop for actual things and sit and have a coffee or a meal. The cruise shippers can have George Town.
It's not about the shopping and grandeur of Caymana Bay. It is about joining two roads together that were supposed to be separate in order to reduce the traffic jams you refer to. The new road will become equally jammed because of the inconvenience to go back to West Bay Road once you leave it. I have asked other commenters and will ask you this. Would you have a problem if West Bay Road were looped around the back of the hotel and kept separate from the extention as was origininally intended? If you have a problem with total separation then please explain why.
Mr. Pigue, how can you think this governemt is going to do anything that helps small business owners? It's all about the money.
I agree totally!. I was under the impression that West Bay Road was simply going to be looped around the backside of the hotel and then continue on as usual. The map I saw however shows it connecting to the Esterly-Tibbetts extention with a side road lead back to West Bay Road. This is wrong. I do not see people going out of their way to double back to the road they were on which means we are now back to a "one road" situation which totally defeats the purpose of having two roads.
I thought the second road was built to relieve traffic jams, not to become a replacement for the original West Bay Road. If West Bay Road attaches the way Dart is doing then I am against the project entirely. Keep the roads separate or don't do it at all.
"he is opening shops and businesses that copy or duplicate others in the community to include, movie theater, book store, coffee shop, restaurants, clothing stores, office complexes, entertainment facilities, gyms, jewellery shops and more."
I don't think that all the places in Caymana Bay are owned by Dart. As far as I know anyone can open or move their business to Camana Bay if they are willing to pay the rent. Quit crying about it, you would do the same thing if you were in his position….
It's the road dummy.. You missed the whold point of the article.
"I don't think that all the places in Caymana Bay are owned by Dart."
So he fooled you too.
Most of the businesses at Camana Bay are all Dart businesses.
Next to come – the Dart Supermarket in front of the school!
Anyone know if this is true? I understood that NKY, Soles, Sand Angels, Lilly Pulitzer, Bedside Manor, the cupcake place and the three main restaurants at least were owned by private individuals renting space from Dart. I am not sure about the movie theater, gym or Mailboxes Etc. and don't know what the arrangement is with Mitch Kaplan's Books and Books. Island Companies is owned by Dart, right? But that is not the majority of businesses, is it? Just curious…
The majority of the businesses ARE locally owned. Dart does partner with some but most are not.
As I understand it:
Hollywood, Books & Books, Michaels and Ortanique, Mansion (Island Companies) – Dart partners.
NKY, Soles, Sand Angel, Lily P, Bedside, the cupcake place, Mailboxes Etc, Anytime Fitness, Audi, Abacus, Cafe Del Sol, the medical center, Island Company, Haagen Daz, Black Trumpet, the Salon Spa, Digicel – NOT Dart partners.
So for those touting "the majority of Dart" go back to school and study the meaning of the word MAJORITY – and probably brush up the rest of your education too – some of the views here are clearly NOT thought out or well expressed…
BRAVO! for what you have said. I too wish the Cayman public would wake up and see that the "Wizard" is using them to increase his own wealth (and those in his pocket). Like he needs more money!! The Cayman economy is hurting…we need to support our local businesses, not pass them by.
Excellent! Well said!
Ok here is what you are missing, there are many businesses in Camana Bay that Dart does not have a hand in. Your tortured analogy is just that, a rather poor analysis. In a free market it is the quality of your product that determines a businesses' ultimate success or failure. Just ask Papermans or Ragazzi, they will continue to be successful regardless of the number of roads leading to your so-called Emeral City. Dart is providing first class office space, retail space and in my opinion a great atmosphere to spend time in. The businesses that are not doing well in Camana Bay but are in the same game as let's say Papermans or Ragazzi should be the first to tell you it's not the lack of roads or ugly appearance of the Emerald City but the poor quality of their product that explains their lack of success. If I have a business and I want a first class physical location I'll probably choose Camana Bay, if I need first class professional services or food I'll probably go somewhere else, it's my choice, that's the nature of a free market, the alternative to a free market of course, is no Emerald City just inefficiencies and substandard products and services. I'll take a free market any day, its really a beautiful thing in that no amount of money being spent can guarantee success just ask the folks behind Stuyvesant Town.
You like many other commenters are missing the point. I am not Dart bashing or putting down Caymana Bay. My problem is the re-routing of a major roadway to join with a second road that was intented to be a second road, not the only road. Bypassing businesses is the result of this joining of the roads.
Would you have a problem with looping West Bay road around the back of the hotel and staying separate from the new extension? Why have two roads if only one will be used?
I stopped reading afer your first sentence. Where do you get your information about Darts interest and support of the businesses at Camana Bay? Dart is a partner in the Mansion jewelery store. He ownes and operates the movie theatre. I know for a fact that he financially makes sure other businesses there don't fail.
Try getting your facts straight before claiming facts that you imagine are true.
You should read more, you would appear less ignorant.
Oh my dear, what a terrible thing, assisting Caymanian business owners so their businesses do not fail….are you sure you know what you are complaining about???
"Ok here is what you are missing, there are many businesses in Camana Bay that Dart does not have a hand in"
LOL!! My niave little Anonymous friend.. Dart has his hand in every single business at Caymana Bay. What you do not know unless you rent space there is that the $$ of your rent depends on the success of your business. So essentially, he is your business partner and he wants you to succeed. This can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. But do not say that he doesn't have his hand in it. I'd say that is a hand in the till like no other.
Also, you cannot buy any of the condo units. They are only for rent.
My sweet little Cayman sheep, come this way
If you are a business with no consumers because the quality of your product is crap no matter how low your overheads are, you will not be a success, no amount of name calling can change that fact,
You are so completely full of bull that I don't know where to start…
Yes, Dart does try to ensure the success of businesses through rent concessions, if I was renting to a good tennent, I would do the same to keep them going. It does not look good to have a high turnover of businesses, so it is in EVERYONE'S interests that this be done.
Your conspiracy ridden little mind will be your undoing. Drink the cool aid and leave the intellegent people to make comments…
If only we could be still living in shacks with smoke pots and mosquitos.
When ever anyone in the country needs money for any charity or project they go to Dart and go to the various Dart parks around the country.
It would have been better if you were straight up in you dislike and distrust of Dart instead of hiding in the bushes and throwing stones.
You must have a connection to Dart. Why are do you belittle our heritage.
Dart is putting many of our country men out of work by bringing in large buses and trying to buy the island.
Wake up..
Get over your persecution complex. Nothing in my article put Dart in a bad light. That is in your head. I am addressing the idiocy of joining two major thoroughfares in the most populated district on Cayman which defeats the purpose of having a two road system. The new road was originally built as a secondarty artery to relieve traffic conjestion on West Bay Road. Now it is looking like that may have been a smoke screen all along. True enough that Dart built Caymana Bay but now he is taking control of our roadways in ways that directly benefit his properties and possibly harm existing ones. This is not about Dart bashing, it is about having two separate roads as was promised in the beginning.
This is not meant to indicate "for or against" the project as a whole but – there WILL be two roads. The entire WB road won't be closed.
Nothing in your article puts Dart in a bad light???
How about:
"If you know the story, you know the Wizard turned out to be just a regular man who used trickery to deceive people in order to make Oz look most inviting" ; or indeed
"It doesn’t matter to the Wizard that these establishments already exist in the community and are hurt by his doing this. He does what he wants to suit his needs under the pretense that it is for the greater good and the ultimate success of Oz."
My house is becoming a shack since I can't afford A/C anymore. I already have mosquitoes. Do you know where I could get a couple of smoke pots?
Your saying that smoking pot in a shack with mosquitos is a bad thing? Maybe you should put down the reefer and wise up.
There are many other companies and private individuals who provide and have provided financial assistance and volunteer hours to the many NGO on this island. Dart is not the only one. Please stop making him appear to the the force that holds our lives together.
I'm tired of hearing him and his Death Star of an organiztion receiving all the credit. It is an insult to all the other kind people in this community.
I don't think that Westbayers using the bypass is going to bother the SMB merchants.
You are correct but then, who cares?
Not our politicians, not our Chamber of Commerce, not our Cayman Islands Tourism Association, not our Small Business Association, is there an one else to care?