The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is eager to begin a $75 million expansion project, but cannot until it strikes a deal with the government to purchase a segment of public road.
Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg has said that because the road was donated to the public years ago, it cannot be disposed of as the government proposes, and said Tuesday he is now backed by the opinion of the Senate legal counsel.
But the attorney representing the Ritz, Jim Hindels, suggested that the opinion is not accurate because it is not based on fact.
Hindels noted that the Ritz has maintained all along that the road in question is not and never was a primary access to Bluebeard’s Beach.
"The Senate opinion suggests that the road leads to the shoreline," he said. "The roadway stops about 250 feet off the shoreline."
However, Hindels said the legislative counsel’s legal opinion does conclude that the government may dispose of the road segment using proper procedures.
He said he didn't understand why a member of the Legislature is attempting to make this a major issue.
"Some people have taken this up as a banner cry, but I am confident the people know what is going on here," Hindels said.
Either "the community wants the hotel or it doesn’t," he said.
One thing is certain, Hindels said — the Ritz-Carlton will have serious second thoughts about the planned expansion if it is forced to deal with the current restrictions.
"If it is determined that the roadway cannot be used, there is little room to expand," Hindels said. "I would not expect that the hotel will proceed."
The various permits and other arrangements between the government and the Ritz-Carlton are expected to come before the Legislature within a few weeks for a final debate on the hotel’s development plans.
