Marigot seafront project: what does the Collectivité expect from investors?

What is the goal of the project?

Elected representatives who have succeeded one another for over a decade have aimed to boost Marigot by developing its seafront as well as two activities which are for now marginal, cruises and recreational boating by positioning itself in the high-end sector. Many studies have been conducted up until now but none of them has led to a concrete achievement.

The current majority, on the basis of studies conducted at the beginning of the years 2000, has resumed the examination of this dossier and stipulated its conditions: enable the development of the bay without participating financially. This is why it has opted for the concession procedure. As part of an agreement, it will provide part of its maritime space to an investor who will build and operate the venue. It’s the same principle which was adopted for the development of the Grand Case Airport.

What are the wishes of the Collectivité in terms of facilities?

The elected representatives have adopted the following guidelines: the accommodation of average-sized cruise ships ( 2 ships at a time) and mega yachts (about 50), accommodation of large cruise ships, either immediately or in the longer term, the dredging of the channel in coherence with the type of vessels accommodated, creation of three earth platforms with the dredging equipment, development of high-end hotels (5 stars), a business center and a multi-purpose room, construction of luxury housing, development of intermediate hotels either connected or not with the accommodation of cruise ships.

In which stage is the project now?

On June 25, 2015, the Territorial Council adopted the project guidelines (the accommodation of average-sized cruise ships, mega-yachts, the creation of earth platforms, high-end hotels, etc.). Since the concession procedure had been chosen, it had to draft an international call for applications which was published at the end of July 2016. Investors who are interested in the project have until October 26, 2016 to send their proposal to the Collectivité.

What does the Collectivité expect from the concessionaire?

According to the instructions provided with the notice, “the concessionnaire will develop, fund and carry out the work and build the following facilities as part of the guidelines approved by the Collectivité and the requirements of the detailed functional program that will be delivered to the selected candidates: dredging of the channel and cruise areas, combined protection and berthing structures (pontoons, refuelling, etc.), earth platforms, a port authority, yacht club, marine terminal, public building".

The concessionnaire will be the owner of the earth platforms, with the exception of the parts that are directly linked to public services such as the car parking lots. For the other areas which are not directly related to a public service, the concessionnaire will be free to choose the forms of operation (assignments, rentals).

What are the requirements of the Collectivité?

After their completion, the concessionnaire will have to make available to the Collectivité, free of charge, the new marine terminal (1 ha of area which will be created on the north earth platform, the central earth platform downtown) and the building intended for accommodating services.

Currently, the marine terminal is operated by the port and provides part of its revenue.

The concessionnaire must also preserve public access along the piers and at the end of the earth platforms which will be created.

The Collectivité has also specified that the shops and services which will be created must not compete with those located downtown.

It will also be up to the chosen operator to conduct the environmental studies and obtain the necessary permissions. They will also have to consider the impact on living and habitat conditions and therefore take compensatory measures accordingly. In particular, they will have to maintain the tourist activities during the construction work phase and ensure that the noise generated by the work remains as low as possible. They must also estimate the effects of the project on the Sandy Ground district.

Coming soon: the seafront project in figures (area, revenue)