Talk of taking land by compulsory acquisition dominated a West Bay meeting to address overcrowded cemetery concerns Monday night.
Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush told more than 30 people at the John A. Cumber School Hall a plot of land has been identified to expand the West Bay Cemetery – Block 5C, Parcel 176REM1 – but he predicts high costs and court dates.
“We have identified the 11 and a half acres on the south side of the West Bay fire station as the best place for the expansion,” said Mr. Bush.
He said “loads of money will have to be spent filling the site but there is no alternative, as the cemetery can’t go just anywhere.”
The premier said the owner of the land wants $11 million for the property, though it was estimated that the worth was somewhere around $2 million. In 2006 Cayman National Bank put a charge on the property to secure a loan of US$6.3 million.
Mr. Bush said he could see the matter would probably end up in court. The government will also have to rezone the site in addition to spending roughly $5 million on de-mucking and filling the area roughly seven feet because of its “very high water table.”
“We are in discussions with the owners but this will be done by compulsory acquisition if need be and it will most likely end up in the Grand Court, where the court will set a fair price, which will have to be paid in one payment by the government.”
Mr. Bush did not disclose who owned the property. An inspection of the Land Register at the Lands and Survey Department indicated that it is owned by Seven Mile Beach Hotel Development Corporation. The property was originally purchased in 2001 by Sloane Enterprises Ltd., with the Transfer of Land executed by Stanley Trezevant, a Memphis, Tennessee developer. Mr. Trezevant died in 2007 and the land was transferred to Seven Mile Beach Hotel Development, which has the same director as Sloane Enterprises.
When contacted, John Trezevant, of Trezevant Realty Corporation in Tennessee said the land belonged to his brother, who is Trip Trezevant of Trezevant Enterprises. Efforts to reach him by press time to discuss the planned compulsory acquisition of his property for much less than his asking price were unsuccessful.
The premier said going through the court could take up to six months, adding that the funds could be in the budget as soon as May or June.
“Once we get a court date, hopefully in June, we will be ready to move by September all going well. The trucking, filling, spreading and compacting will be costly but some of that will be recouped when people by vaults,” said Mr. Bush.
He explained that he knew of no other piece of land suitable for a cemetery that would not be objected to by residents, as the project would encroach on their properties, noting that the property was also big enough for the exercise. People in the Cayman Islands are now allowed to bury their loved ones on their own properties as the result of a private members motion by Mr. Bush and Captain Eugene Ebanks several years ago. However methods such as double burials to a vault and cremation may have to be looked at said Mr. Bush, who lamented about the latter.
“We know that it is a sensitive matter; the way in which people bury their loved ones and we would not be forcing anyone to cremate their dead.”
Other areas in the Cayman Islands such as Bodden Town, South Sound and Prospect are also facing a shortage of cemetery space. Mr. Bush said members from the respective districts have been making representations to him, which the government is looking at. The premier did not say how the government would finance the proposed cemetery expansion.
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There is no reason at all to waste so much of the Government’s money aquiring this land, which is prime real estate. Put it inland — perhaps by High Rock area. To put it in prime locations is ludicrous — can’t believe they are even contemplating this. Use the money to finish the schools or to improve infrastructure — something all of us alive would benefit from. Doesn’t have to be High Rock, could be any inland site. It won’t cost a fraction of this. Also, if there is another major hurricane, we won’t end up with coffins on the street.
Cayman Mermaid understand that each district has its own community cemetery.If the West Bay cemetery needs to be extended in order to serve the W.B.people it must be build in West Bay.
However my problem with the deal is that if the land needs to be filled and it is located east of the W.B. fire station then it seems to be me that the land could be wetland, i.e. swamp land and swamp land does not have the higher value as high and dry land.
If the premier is going to waste the countries money paying 1 million per acre for swamp land, he could be headed for some real trouble that will wind up in court and perhaps some embarrassment.
How can an individual demand 11 million dollars for 11 ELEVEN acres of land that is not even beach front property???? something is wrong with this deal. Spending 11 million dollars to purchase ll acres of land that needs LAND FILL??? SOMETHING IS WRONG with this deal.
Let us stand still and see what the end is going to be.
members from the respective districts have been making representations to him, which the government is looking at WOW.. you mean to say that Bush is listening to the people of Bodden Town, South Sound, and Prospect? Must be their last year in office.
Any of the farmland along Batabano would be better and cheaper. Also not underwater.
There is land in West Bay, of the same size, doesn’t need fill and costs a fraction of that price. So why this piece?
There are other locations:
Land at end of Sunburst Lane.
Land on Batabano Road? Both sides.
Land on Mount Pleasant Road.
Land next to Ed Bush Sports complex.
Land between Boatswains Bay road Hell Road.
Full respect to the dead, and to their relatives, but why does each District have to have its own cemetery? Are we not all Caymanians? There surely must be suitable land somewhere not slated for expensive development which jacks up the buying price, and which will not need expensive landworks?
And again with all respect to the dead and their relatives, other societies have had this problem, and for example, use cremation, or dig up the bones after a set time and put them into entirely acceptable family niches in a suitable setting, or send their dead off to sea in canoes.
Maybe it depends upon where you think/believe where and what Heaven is?
Caymanians having been by history a seafaring people, burial at sea – which is full of ceremony and feeling – could also be considered.
It might be said that only those who believe literally in resurrection have any reasonable claim to occupy precious and limited ground space in the face of a population growing at the rate of Cayman.
Sorry, when it comes to money transactions and the Premier, I cant trust him! Eleven million for property that is not on the beach??? Who is paying for this? And who is the recepient; or, should I say recepientS? I would like to see more about this deal!
I zoomed in on that map in the picture. Is it true that this is a solid block between West Bay Road and the bypass extension to Batabano? Seems crazy. Isn’t there crown land in West Bay that would be free?
Can’t see the Forest for the Trees!
Gotta be better suited ‘cemetary’ land SOMEWHERE!! Think we all might agree that east WB Fire Department is not only swamp as The Premier says, it is almost NOT in West Bay!
After all, George Town was expanded to Prospect, so what is wrong with some alternate site/location?
Having read the news coverage of the recent events/reports by OUR Premier, seems soooooooo axx backwards that we should spend 8-10 or 12 million dollars and maybe more on 11 acres for an extension of a district cemetary ( with no return on our ) while economizing on the expansion of Owen Roberts Airport Runway ( which by the way, is an asset to our economy, i.e. will bring a return on OUR investment-tourists, investors, businesses and lets not forget jobs!) while the Premier is willing to consume limited, valuable dry land in George Town!!( guess we’ll just have to buy that most valuable swamp land and fill if we need more.:-)) It’s so easy to spend what is not yours, isnt it? Try economics 101, guys!!! But then, whomever said we are governed by genius’?
I don’t claim to have all the answers, but SOMEWHERE, SOMEHOW we better find some common sense!
With limited land area why not make cremation mandatory in the country? There is nothing biblically against cremation so whats the problem?
Building a cemetery on land that needs fill doesn’t seem to make sense. Caymanians should have a choice as to whether they are buried on land or sea or cremated but If an increasing people are happy to be cremated when their time comes then perhaps now is the time to looking into buiding a crematorium on the island. Without being flippant, CUC has some presumably very efficient burners which might provide part of that service. As the bible says ashes to ashes, etc so without wishing to offend anyone’s sensibilities, disposal of human remains by cremation is a perfectly respectful way of dealing with a necessity and is common practice in many countries.
Anyone with a remote knowledge of real estate smells something funky about this proposed deal already.
No. 1 No swamp land anywhere in the world is valued nor sold for 1 million dollars per acre.
2. It is a crime to appraise property for so much more than its true value.
3. It is an injustice against the people of the Cayman Islands to spend 11 million dollars on ll acres of swamp land that could be purchased at another location in West Bay for less than 5% of the amount the premier claims the owners are demanding.
Since when did the premier respond to the whim and demands of anyone.West is the largest district in Cayman and there is plenty of property available for purchase. Is this land deal going to be another wild and willy China Harbor approach?
Shall we ask the premier who owns this particular piece of property? is it a UDP member, is it special interest, just who is the premier willing to place 11 million dollars in their hand for a measly 11 acres of worthless swamp land?
As the old folks say, we were not born behind a cow behind.
Its about time the Premier acknowledges that not everyone is drunk on UDP juice!
Swamp land can be purchased for less than 20,000 per acre.
I can’t believe that this governor tolerates the likes of this man.
This ‘swamp land’ has huge frontage to WBR and can be developed with a 10 storey hotel under the zoning, hense the high value, why not use a cheap inland site for a fraction of the cost AND one not requiring the fill needed for a cemetery???