The Tribune

BY FAY SIMMONS

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A PORT Lucaya Marketplace vendor yesterday said plans to revive the marina under new ownership could provide a much-needed boost for struggling businesses, revealing she opened her souveniur booth just three days over the past two months because visitor traffic has been so weak.

Ernestine Markland, owner of Ernie's Souvenirs in the Port Lucaya Marketplace, said any effort to attract more visitors to the area would be welcomed by merchants who continue to grapple with sluggish customer traffic.

"Anything that brings more tourists into the area is appreciated," said Ms Markland. "Right now, I opened my booth only two days in June and one day so far in July because business has been so slow."

She said the lack of visitors has left many vendors struggling to make ends meet. "It's so slow," she added. "It's only by the help of God."

Ms Markland said she hopes improvements to the marina will encourage more boaters to dock in Port Lucaya and spend time shopping and dining in the Marketplace.

"If people can dock there, bring their friends ashore and shop, that's good for all of us," she said. "Anyone we can get into the area is better than not getting them."

Ms Markland added that the marina once generated that type of activity. "It used to happen before," she said. "People would dock, come ashore, shop and spend money. We'd like to see that again."

While government officials have pointed to new tourism developments as positive signs for Grand Bahama's economy, Ms Markland said Port Lucaya businesses have yet to see a meaningful increase in customer traffic.

Asked whether the opening of Celebration Key had resulted in more visitors reaching Port Lucaya, she replied: "Most definitely less traffic. We're waiting for tourists to come from Celebration Key, but there aren't that many."

The comments come as efforts to redevelop the long-neglected Port Lucaya Marina have become embroiled in a dispute between the developer, the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and Grand Bahama Development Company (DEVCO).

Demolition work began last week as part of a planned $21.8m redevelopment that includes rebuilding the marina with 60 concrete slips, dredging the basin, upgrading onshore facilities and constructing a new fuel dock and marina amenities. The project is being undertaken by Bahamaland Waterways, with Executive Marine Management overseeing the demolition phase. 

However, the GBPA subsequently issued a stop work order, arguing the developer had begun demolition without first obtaining the necessary permits. The developer has maintained that it had secured all required government approvals and accused the Port Authority of attempting to delay the project. 

Adding another layer to the dispute, DEVCO said it has no objection to the marina redevelopment proceeding once the required documentation is submitted and approved, noting that it supports investment capable of revitalising Port Lucaya while ensuring all regulatory requirements are satisfied. 

For vendors such as Ms Markland, however, the regulatory dispute is secondary to the need for more visitors. "Anything that revitalises the marina and brings more tourists to Port Lucaya is very much appreciated," she said. "We just need more people coming into the area."