according to Amigoe news, Hilton is building a new hotel near the Airport to be ready 2010. Peter

"Bonaire

WILLEMSTAD/BEVERLY HILLS —Hilton is going to build a resort in the channel area north of the airport in Bonaire. The headquarters of the hotel chain Hilton in Beverly Hills near Los Angeles announced this today.

The build of the luxurious Hilton Bonaire Resort & Spa starts next year summer and if everything goes according to plans, will open in July of 2010. The hotel will have 144 rooms, including 12 suites. The project is going to cost more than 100 million guilders. Azul Management Bonaire that includes a number of Aruban investors, is going to develop the resort and will also be the owner. One of the initiators is Anthony Blok, the then employee of former Tourism-minister in Aruba, Robertico Croes. “We are happy to welcome Hilton”, is Ramonsito Booi’s reaction. “This is an important step in the further development of the tourism. They guarantee an important number of notorious names for the island. Their motto ‘be hospitable’ completely fits the Bonerian attitude regarding the tourism.”"
This is the article from Amigoe.

Yikes!!!!!

What I heard that about 3 months ago ... when you come from the airort and drive in direction town, on that corner where you have to turn left to go to the Plaza the Hilton will be build

more poop

My teen wants to be assured this does NOT mean Paris Hilton will start coming to Bonaire?

Some of that "over development" National Geographic was referring to? Bummer.

Poopy poopy...Looks like dem changes are a coming!! I sincerely hope the waste management system will be functional by the time this project is completed. I wonder how many stories it'll have? Before you know it, here come the golf courses! Something tells me that the airport is going to get a lot busier. Wonder when the first real traffic light goes in? Any takers on a bet?

Is it possible that 20 years from now we'll look back on the good old days on Bonaire? I remember Bonaire in '85 & the changes since then have been astounding, so I can only wonder. Life goes on so lets hope for the best.

MAJOR BUMMER
Does anyone know if there is a height restriction for construction on the island?

Gee, as some of you know, I got a place on the south side of the island, wonder how with the Divi Flamingo going to be built and now the Hilton, how the heck is my water pressure going to be by the time the water gets to the south side? Ack! And waste management hopefully is going to be taken in consideration with both of those large developments. May not be large to some islands, but the combo for Bonaire and all the smaller/tall high rises going in from what I saw is just, ACKKKK!!!!! And I was always worried a Hilton would go in by the old Esmeralda building that is falling apart, well, now blow me away.... It isn't built yet, maybe they will change their minds, heck, even the Divi Divi Flamingo hasn't started either. Trying to be positive here, think positive thoughts...

We left Cozumel 8 years ago for Bonaire because of all the cruise ships and large resorts. Looks like the search may have to begin anew - Dominica here we come???

Height limit is 8 meters, but there are ways to get around it. When you go down EEG Boulevard, you see an 8 meter high flag with the words "8 METER LIMIT!" written on it immediately next to a 16 meter building.

Thanks Kevin, I'm now wondering where the approvals for building plans are done...on island? Curacao? Netherlands? I've spent a lot of time fighting local projects here in Folsom and one can rarely stop a project, but with a lot of effort, have it modified to make it somewhat more acceptable....

Destroys the charm that exists now.

Babs,
Approval is local, and involves three offices. When I split land for sale, I have to submit it to the Governor's office, and the Governor seeks approval from two offices: DROB and Domein. To be honest, I don't really know what DROB stands for, but they basically are in charge of physical plant kind of things: building codes, roadway codes, etc. Domein is in charge of establishing new land boundaries.

In practice, it's done the opposite way. The developer takes the plan to DROB and Domein, works it out with them, and then when it is submitted to the governor, it gets approved quickly.

I haven't built a hotel (The Great Escape was already there when I bought it) so I haven't actually gone through it, but I believe it involves the same three offices.

The main thing to remember is that there is really no reason at all to fight the Hilton. It isn't being advertised as an all-inclusive, and, from their location, I don't expect anything much different than the Plaza. If I was building on that spot, I would put in a series of low buildings, and spread it out to take advantage of the artificial canals that are already there. So long as they handle sanitation properly, it should be an overall plus for the island.

My advice to would-be activists: don't even think about fighting the hotel itself. There's too much money involved, and too much benefit to too many people. Fight for making sure sanitation is handled, fight for making sure building heights are reasonable, fight for everything you can to make sure the hotel doesn't damage things, but don't fight the hotel itself. You'll just get the locals geared up to fight you, and you want them to be on your side.

One should not over react also, it is not a biiiiggg Hilton, but one with 144 rooms. On Aruba p.ex. even the smaller hotels have 200 rooms, the bigger ones 400 rooms and than you have the big ones with 800 and more.....

There is actually no hard cast in cement law limiting buildings to 8m.

True enough ... the 8 meter limit is in the guideline plan, but is one of the items that can be modified during negotiations. It really isn't much different than getting a zoning variation in the states, and it's true of nearly everything. There are limits on fence heights, setbacks on lots, percentage of the lot that can be sealed, etc., but if you have a compelling reason, they will approve nearly anything that is safe. I really wish they would enforce the fence height limits more carefully, especially along EEG Boulevard. The fence along the road isn't supposed to exceed 1.5m. It would be nice to be able to see the ocean from the oceanfront road.

Maybe I'll finally get to meet Paris Hilton so I can tell her how stupid I think she is. Oh yeah, bring Lindsay and Brittany, so I can tell them too.

Marcus, we're with you. We have been going to Aruba for the last 17 years and have owned a timeshare there for the last 10 (which we will sell when we find our next "dream-destination"). We knew Aruba when it was like Bonaire is now. We just returned from our 2nd trip to Bonaire after having been there two years ago as well and were convinced that this could be our answer to an escape from a "He..-Hole that Aruba has become due to over-tourism. (See our communication with TCB in the "Accommodations" category)
Looks like our "Bonaire dream" has been dashed with the news of the Hilton and other likely similar projects.
The search continues!! We might be right behind you in Dominica!!!

PS: That communication that I just mentioned in my last post is in the "Accommodation" section is under the title "Have things changed much?"

Ronald, just wondering.. you owned a timeshare on Aruba for 10 years, so somehow you supported the developer of that particular project. Weren't you involved in financing the so-called over-tourism on Aruba yourself too?

Ouch!!!, Windsurfer. Guess I'm supposed to stay home or feel guilty for being a tourist. I just happen to be one who simply wants a quiet, laid-back place to go. I'm simply saying that there should be limits (not completely halt tourism). If all the islands had a limit as to the number of tourists allowed per square mile at any given time, I would gladly take a number and wait my turn. Actually, when (as you say) we involved ourselves in financing the "over-tourism" in Aruba, the tourist population at that time was less than half of what it is today and we were assured that there would be little (if any) change as the local government had a moratorium in place which halted all property expansion and any new construction. Call me naive, but we (like many others) truly didn't expect to see mega-projects like the Marriott roll in overnight.
So, in my own defence, I do not believe I have contributed to Aruba's "over" tourism.

Ronald, of course I get your point.
But when you wrote "Looks like our Bonaire dream has been dashed with the news of the Hilton and other likely similar projects", I think you are quite quick to draw definite conclusions, sending out a message that Bonaire is already being destroyed as we speak.
I don't think that is the case. Yes, there are risks, but there is a definitely awareness on the island that development should be sustainable.
Apart from that, we don't have the beaches of Aruba that really attracts mass mass tourism. This place is different. Not the typical place to sit on the beach with a cocktail in the hand...
Call me naive, but I do see some very good developments as well (Bonaire Wooden Houses, a concept very close to nature and very innovative).
Yes, Hilton will come in, but this does not necessarily mean the island will be destroyed.
Give Bonaire a fair chance instead of creating panic. The island and the people deserve it.

I don't like cruise ships, that's a personal view. So I'm not happy with an increase in cruise ship traffic.

However for all the Casandra's bemoaning Bonaire's fate because of development & making comparisons to Aruba, perhaps a few statistics may help.
Aruba currently has a population of approximately 102,000.
Bonaire's is approx. 14,000.
Aruba is 75 square miles.
Bonaire is over 110 sq miles.
In my opinion, economically speaking,Bonaire really has room to grow. And it's definitely growing.

Do I want it to grow? Well that's another personal opinion and the answer lies in how the growth is done. If done intelligently with respect for the environmental impact I really don't have a problem. However, as the old saying indicates, "the devil is in the details".

Vince, a large portion of our island is off limits from growth as you know (Washington Park) so that puts all the growth in one chunk of the island. IMHO the building boom is not a boom, it's a vavoommmmmm...tooo much toooo fast but ..

As for the Hilton I support this for many reasons:

Location
Size

It is not taking up beachfront/waterfront land, it's relatively small and certainly it will bring in increased airlift over time, IMHO.

I wonder what the rush is? The infrastructure isn't there (sewage treatment) to support the current growth. They say it will be there in a few years. Meanwhile, more and more development, ahead of that.

The outcome: polluted and dying and possibly dead reefs, before the sewage treatment plant even goes on-line. People will find another place to dive (Dominica has been mentioned a few times here), to spend their vacations - no one wants to swim in poo-water. The over-development will just be that many more empty rooms. People will be laid off, the standard of living will drop, their will be an increase in crime.

How about putting the cart BEHIND the horse, Bonaire?

(Message edited by susanf on December 1, 2007)

Ann. I agree with your description of "vavoommmm" in describing the current state of construction on the island. I do however disagree that it's "all growth in one part of the island".

Granted, you live on the island and I don't giving you first hand views. However, what I see in reviewing internet sites is construction all over Bonaire. For example; Bona Bista on 63 acres for a total planned of 250 villas on the road to Rincon.
I see much development (individual homes) in Belnem & Sabadeco.

Additionally in the Hato area, we have Liberty at 48 apts & Namar with 20 planned units. As you know, this is just a sample of what's going on.

My point is the construction on Bonaire is pretty much ubiquitous (of course excluding the park, lands under RAMSAR & the salt ponds down south where I suspect the property may be too low to properly build on anyway).
But, even excluding the above, Bonaire is a fairly large island and is capable of supporting much more then it's 14,000 inhabitants.

Is it all too much too fast? In all honesty I can't answer that question. Time will tell. But as Susan points out above, I would definitely feel more comfortable if in fact the waste treatment plant and a sewer system was operational.

I'm not one to make outrageous statements or to be judgmental based on minimal info, but in my opinion (nine years of diving the reefs, and I'm a professional oceanographer) the Bonaire reefs are dying fast from overnourisment and undergrazing, and the future of the island depends on getting a sewage plant built as fast as possible. The Hilton is not the problem; it could even be part of the solution if the building permits require sewage treatment. I read on BT a lot of "it's not so bad" or "XYZ island is worse" but that misses the point; it is getting worse, and it is difficult to reverse. I'm 66 and I won't see the end of the beautiful reefs of Bonaire, but I would like to see the end of their degradation due to apologists and rose-colored glasses.

(Message edited by tursiops on December 2, 2007)

Mel..I think we're all pretty much in agreement on the issue of the eutrophication of the Bonairean reefs. Somewhere in my file I have the results of a study completed in Nov 2006 addressed to the marine park which assesses the current state of the marine reefs. And you are quite correct, that we are near the tipping point. Yes, having been diving Bonaire's reefs for over 20 years, I do see the changes.

I however chose to remain optimistic that the tertiary treatment sewage plant being planned (and to my knowledge approved) will go a long way to solve the problem. Like you, I'd love to see it completed today as opposed to waiting another 3 years. Unfortunately, the ultimate solution is a function of time & money.

It's up to the Bonaire Govt. to insure Hilton has their own waste treatment plant in place so it does not stress our fragile situation.

Mel, that is a very well-balanced comment. Thinking into the direction you lead us will help us so much more more than suggesting Bonaire is lost and one should head for Dominica now.

Can anyone tell me if there is any plans or initiatives on a proper sewage plant?

I'm not saying Bonaire is lost, I'm saying slowing down would be a very good idea or it will be - and I don't think I'm being alarmist. The reef has deteriorated in the 7 years I've been coming to Bonaire.

I also think the Hilton (as much as I find Paris loathesome) does not sound that bad, at least as it's being described now. And if they put their own waste treatment plant in place (with or without the Bonaire government's insistence) so much the better.

Just a note. I think it was in one of the last couple of months that Bonaire Reporter had an issue with population totals and demographic breakdowns. I think the total Bonairean pop. numbers were 14,000 with ex pat numbers at 7,000
full time residents.

Does it really matter? The reefs are going to die in 10 years anyways due to global warming no doubt. You want to save the reef and bonaire, fight the governments to produce cleaner energy.

I'm pretty much like everyone else. Once I visited Bonaire, I wanted to be the last non-repeat visitor ever allowed onto the island.

The answer to growth on Bonaire is the same as the real answer to shawn's global warming dilema. It's not the "government". That makes it someone else's problem.

Reef issues, global warming and overdevelopment on Bonaire are all symptoms of global over-population issues. They aren't going to get better until we deal with the population issue.

Given the current population, global warming is not going to be addressed unless we change our behavior. The government can't do it.

I remember hearing a sound bite years ago that struck home for me:

One cave man urinating in a stream is not a problem.

SOILANT GREEN!!!

Do you have an idea on how to deal with the over population issue?