Jan. 18, 2007 — Hotel and resort developers William and Punch Partners have invited the community to a meet and greet Friday in order to provide an update on the group's proposed hotel/casino project on the northwest shore. The event will take place at Pier 69 in Frederiksted from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
According to Kevin Rames, William and Punch managing partner, residents will be able to view updated conceptual site plans and meet local board members and members of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which is taking part in the joint venture with William and Punch.
The tribal nation currently operates Foxwoods Resort Casino, one of the largest casinos in the world.
The proposed development includes a 300-room hotel, casino, marina, residential lots, condominiums, two golf courses, retail shops, a convention center, botanical gardens and 300 acres of green space.
The property is located between Rainbow Beach and Sprat Hall to the west and Creque Dam to the east. Estates William and Punch are included in the National Register of Historic Sites. The land was part of the Estate La Grange Plantation purchased by George B. Fleming after the sugar factory there went bankrupt in 1947.
The property, totaling 588 acres, was transferred from Fleming's Trust to William and Punch Partners at a reported purchase price of $3.75 million. The $120 million project is expected to create 2,500 jobs.
Elaborating on the updated site plans, managing partner David Christopher Elliott said Thursday, "There is a new location and proposed footprint of the marina and a new footprint of the resort buildings, condominiums and golf residences."
The development site is largely covered with natural vegetation from the seashore to the hilly terrain overlooking the property.
Rames said he and Elliot have been very attentive to the needs and suggestions from the community and have taken many of the suggestions into consideration. "We have been engaged in discussions and outreach to any community members and groups that have any interest in real estate land development and issues affecting the environment."
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