Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has agreed to sell the controversial strip of road leading to Bluebeard's Beach at the East End of St. Thomas to Marriott Hotel Services Inc. He has called a special session of the Legislature for Thursday to ratify the agreement.
Turnbull claimed the section of road in question is a dead end and is contained within the property owned by Marriott, the Ritz-Carlton's parent corporation.
In a release from Government House, Turnbull said the sale of the parcel is in the best interest of all Virgin Islanders because it will allow for the projected $75 million Ritz-Carlton expansion.
Turnbull said Marriott was willing to offer certain things in exchange for the property, aside from the $50,000 sale price. Marriott will:
– Provide a paved turnaround at the entrance to Route 322.
– Resurface the public access on the southern end of the beach.
– Maintain Bluebeard's Beach so it is safe for swimming.
– Allow access for emergency vehicles on the roadway.
– Contribute funds to the V.I. government to make up for any loss of federal highway money during the next five years.
Turnbull touted the value of the hotel expansion, saying it would bring more upscale visitors and guarantee that Bluebeard's Beach would be permanently accessible to the public.
The release did not say what time the session was to be held.
