The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A MARINA operator last week's public consultation on the proposed Blu Cay Marina left him convinced it will worsen congestion around Potter's Cay, arguing the meeting failed to resolve concerns over traffic and parking and whether it is being held to the same standards as other operators.

Peter Maury, operator of Bay Street Marina, said his position remains unchanged despite presentations by the project's consultants and assurances by representatives of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP).

"I still have the same position," said Mr Maury. "I think it's going to be a disaster. They're trying to fit 20 parking spaces, an office, bathrooms and a marina on to a site that's about 120 feet by 50 feet. The proposal just isn't realistic."

His comments come after a public consultation where traffic congestion and parking dominated residents' concerns over the proposed 25-slip marina near Potter's Cay.

During the meeting, environmental consultants said the developer had secured access to an additional lease area that could provide about 80 parking spaces to support the project. However, Mr Maury argued the additional parking would do little to ease congestion in the area.

"I run both a restaurant and a marina, and people always want to park right in front of where they're going," he said. "Having additional parking elsewhere isn't going to change that. Potter's Cay is already difficult to access, and this project will only make that situation worse."

Mr Maury, who said he regularly visits Potter's Cay to collect seafood delivered from the Family Islands for his businesses, argued the area is already heavily congested because of commercial activity, ferry traffic and limited parking.

"As someone who lives and works in Freetown, I can tell you traffic at the foot of the bridge is already a nightmare, especially during shift changes," he said. "Add the traffic from Potter's Cay and the Family Island shipping operations, and this development will only make things worse."

Beyond traffic concerns, Mr Maury questioned whether the project is being subjected to the same planning, environmental and operational requirements imposed on other marina developments.

"When I built Bay Street Marina, I had to install environmental pump-out facilities, complete environmental and traffic studies and build infrastructure that emergency vehicles could access," he said.  "This project appears to require none of that. If one marina has to meet those standards, then every marina should."

Mr Maury also said he was disappointed the developer did not attend the consultation, arguing residents deserved the opportunity to raise questions directly with the person behind the project.

"If you're proposing a development that's going to affect the surrounding community, you should be there to answer residents' questions yourself," he said. "At Bay Street Marina, I could explain every aspect of my operation because I know the business. I think the developer should have done the same."

He also questioned whether presenters had sufficient knowledge of the area to address residents' concerns.

"One of the presenters admitted she wasn't familiar with the area," Mr Maury said. "If that's the case, how can meaningful conclusions be reached without properly understanding the existing traffic and conditions?"

While acknowledging he supports marina development, Mr Maury said projects should be designed in a way that protects surrounding businesses and applies the same regulatory standards to every operator.

"I'm all for marinas and hospitality development, but not this way," he said. "Every major marina in The Bahamas has had to meet environmental and safety requirements. This proposal shouldn't be treated differently."