Westin St John [Master Thread] - Part 2 (June 2014 and forward)

[czar]

Mermaids chair

Customs house

Never too young to put your face underwater...

View from Annaberg

 

[czar]

Big Issue in Coral Bay

Our babysitter, a local transplant, was telling u last night that there's a huge issue going on in Coral Bay, where she lives. Apparently there's a plan for a large, 145 slip mega yacht marina and shopping development. On the front page this morning.

 

[okwiater]

This would be a terrible blow to the unique paradise that is St. John.

Apparently, there was a hearing yesterday (August 20) at the legislative building in Cruz Bay. Anybody know what happened?

http://newsofstjohn.com/2014/08/10/coral-bay-marina-thought/

 

[DavidnRobin]

Keep the photos coming - good to hear that the charter w/ Jason of Island Roots worked out. Plus I hear rains are coming. Jason is really a well-rounded person, I could only wish I had it that together at 28yo.

re: Coral Bay - I wrote a letter against Summers End's plan for a marina in CB. Using the environmental angle (too big and too close to Hurricane Hole - a NPS Preserve). However, I do think that CB could use a small marina - at least a pump-out station. Unfortunately, history of USVI is that big money wins as big money can line the pockets of the local politicians who make ours look like angels.

 

[czar]

Coral Vista progress

They stated opening for occupancy early winter 2015

 

[czar]

Keep the photos coming - good to hear that the charter w/ Jason of Island Roots worked out. Plus I hear rains are coming. Jason is really a well-rounded person, I could only wish I had it that together at 28yo.

re: Coral Bay - I wrote a letter against Summers End's plan for a marina in CB. Using the environmental angle (too big and too close to Hurricane Hole - a NPS Preserve). However, I do think that CB could use a small marina - at least a pump-out station. Unfortunately, history of USVI is that big money wins as big money can line the pockets of the local politicians who make ours look like angels.

That was the same sentiment from te locals with whom we spoke.

 

[YYJMSP]

They stated opening for occupancy early winter 2015

Winter 2015 = a year from now? Or do you mean Jan 2105?

CV appears to be in the online villa booking tool as of at least Apr 2015 (i.e. 8mos from now, which is all I can see with SO's), assuming those are the one's showing as 3BR L/O's

 

[DavidnRobin]

I recall mid-2015 as well as 1st reservations - but they will probably do what they did with BV - open inventory in the 1st building, then open up as the other buildings are finished.

 

[czar]

Winter 2015 = a year from now? Or do you mean Jan 2105?

CV appears to be in the online villa booking tool as of at least Apr 2015 (i.e. 8mos from now, which is all I can see with SO's), assuming those are the one's showing as 3BR L/O's

Correct, Feb 2015 it sounded like.

 

[LisaRex]

Thanks for all the great photos, Czar. If you happen to stroll by the tennis courts, can you let me know if they are in good condition? Last time we went, they needed attention, especially the lights.

We'll be heading to WSJ in January 2015. I'll try to post photos then.

 

[czar]

Thanks for all the great photos, Czar. If you happen to stroll by the tennis courts, can you let me know if they are in good condition? Last time we went, they needed attention, especially the lights.

We'll be heading to WSJ in January 2015. I'll try to post photos then.

We were on them the other night and they seemed fine but doesn't mean they are. My wife is the tennis player in the family. We did use the lights and they lit right up.

 

[czar]

Side of building 23 (they actually made a lot of progress while we were here)

Bar at lemongrass - we came here two nights for a drink and really liked the ambiance

New greeting/check in area - was not open when we arrived

 

[czar]

FYI - weather/water rough enough today that they're brining the Breeze in and out of Red Hook.

 

[czar]

CV sales

FYI - sent email to WSJ sales re MF discrepancy. They didn't answer directly but responded by saying that they were sold out of 148k inventory.

 

[DavidnRobin]

This would be a terrible blow to the unique paradise that is St. John.

Apparently, there was a hearing yesterday (August 20) at the legislative building in Cruz Bay. Anybody know what happened?

http://newsofstjohn.com/2014/08/10/coral-bay-marina-thought/

There is a lot of interesting info arising from this proposal for a mega-marina in Coral Bay with serious accusations pertaining to the Summer's End so-called 'Developers'. And shows an interesting glimpse into the inner workings/battles of StJ - where money generally wins out. Hopefully (IMO), not this time.

For those interested... Active St John (Facebook) is a good place for the latest happenings (and also is a microcosm of life on StJ itself)

 

[czar]

Goodnight Great Cruz Bay

Fyi - took two trips for me to figure out Cruz Bay versus Great Cruz Bay!

 

[DavidnRobin]

There is a lot of interesting info arising from this proposal for a mega-marina in Coral Bay with serious accusations pertaining to the Summer's End so-called 'Developers'. And shows an interesting glimpse into the inner workings/battles of StJ - where money generally wins out. Hopefully (IMO), not this time.

For those interested... Active St John (Facebook) is a good place for the latest happenings (and also is a microcosm of life on StJ itself)

Hilarious...

http://lifeonourrock.com/2014/08/proposed-st-john-marina/

 

[Beaglemom3]

Mods: Please move this if I'm out of line in posting here. Thanks !

Would like to ask WSJ owners ( I used to be one) before I place my exchange request in the Marketplace .

Is a swap or exchange of a 2 bedroom, Hyatt Sunset Harbor, Week 4 (end of January-beginning of February) for a WSJ, non summer, 1-2 bedroom, a lopsided request ?

Just want to see if there's anything too outlandish with this planned request before posting.

Thank you.

 

[czar]

Hmmmmmm. Fishy. Their "plan" sounds a lot like tactics lifted from Mexican timeshare scams. Hahaha.

Hilarious...

http://lifeonourrock.com/2014/08/proposed-st-john-marina/

 

[DavidnRobin]

WSJ now a gated community

http://www.on-stjohn.com/2014/08/26/the-westin-is-now-a-gated-community/

I for one will miss the 'guard' on the other side of the street.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Sign the Online Petition against Coral Bay Marina

Sign the Online Petition against Coral Bay Marina
(If you care about preserving Coral Bay)

http://www.stjohn-info.com/stjohn-u...-bay-marina-as-proposed-by-summers-end-group/

 

[DavidnRobin]

Solar Update at WSJ

http://www.stjohnnews.com/index.php...t-improve-neighbors-view-of-resort-from-above

 

[czar]

http://www.stjohnnews.com/index.php...t-improve-neighbors-view-of-resort-from-above

Wow that's really exciting. Wonder what the utility bills will look like. Weren't they planning at one point to use a combo of solar and natural gas or something to power the resort (or maybe just Hillside)?

 

[DavidnRobin]

Wow that's really exciting. Wonder what the utility bills will look like. Weren't they planning at one point to use a combo of solar and natural gas or something to power the resort (or maybe just Hillside)?

To my understanding... This is different than what was in last letter from Phil&Bob. I posted it a few months back.

 

[okwiater]

To my understanding... This is different than what was in last letter from Phil&Bob. I posted it a few months back.

Although the photograph is of the Hillside buildings, it sounds as if Westin is proposing these modifications as part of an update to the resort's overall master plan. Generally this would be required before any individual projects can go forward. I would think the purpose of this is to green-light any individual solar projects as proposed by the VGV BOD, as well as for the other areas of the resort. But it doesn't mean they're going to immediately start covering every usable surface with solar panels.