Serious investors being sought for land in St. John
Monday February 28 2011 | 03:21 AM

A "special" investor is being sought to develop almost three dozen acres of St. John property, part of which was home to the island's major satellite telecommunications station for 24 years.

The options under consideration for Congor Bay, near Bath, included a small hotel/health spa, retirement village, and luxury apartments, but realtor Paul Altman made it clear today that he would only be entertaining discussions with people who were "serious" and not wanting to construct "little square boxes" willy-nilly.

The 33 acre site, Altman told Barbados TODAY, was "not actively being pushed", but he said "of course it is available".

Other sources also said that in line with Government's repeated intention to declare the area stretching from Consett Bay, St. John to Archer's in St. Lucy a special part of the country reserved for Barbadian ownership, any development at Congor Bay "would have to be carefully executed".

Altman agreed, saying "there is always an opportunity to be creative and you can go and just try to build some little square boxes anywhere and try to sell them or you can become creative".

"I have some great ideas for down there and if some body came along and said 'look this is what it's all about' I am happy to sit down with someone, not to waste time, but if someone is real and they have money and they have ideas, we can become very creative," he said.

"It is nothing that you can just say 'come and buy it'; to get people interested you have to tell them 'come and buy it because this is what it's all about' and put something in their minds, give them something to feel that they have an opportunity. It is lovely, you can do things there."

A price tag has not been placed on the venture, given that there are several possible uses for the site and a project description outlined a few of them.

"Congor Bay has the advantage of its proximity to the island's sole international airport. In addition, it's secluded, sandy beach and safe swimming make it an ideal location for a private luxury establishment. The tower has the potential for development into a restaurant with stunning 360 degree views of the island. The surrounding rolling countryside is perfect for nature trails and outdoor activities," it stated.

"This location could also be considered for a 'retirement village'. The existing buildings could be converted into a modern efficient community-type complex for the elderly with various support facilities such as a small shop, restaurant and laundry facilities, as well as outdoor activities."

Another option was for the property to be "converted into luxury apartments or a luxury villa" or a technology-related commercial venture.

"Computer or data-processing companies and other high technology industries, many of which already operate in Barbados, may be interested in conducting their business in special locations. The property would allow for the development of an industrial park with the possibility of some housing and support facilities for employees," the project description stated.

Whether or not such takes place will not only depend on if an investor is found, but the extent to which authorities approve.

Formerly the location of the then Barbados External Telecommunications Limited's Earth Station, Congor Bay included an antenna tower, buildings constructed to house equipment and workers operating the facility.

The main building was the location of the control room, offices and a conference room, while generators providing emergency power were housed in a smaller building. All of these are within a secure 10 acre property, but there is also 23 acres of "prime agriculture land" that was once cultivated.

When the location became the Earth Station it was purchased from the owners of Bath Plantation, once one of the island's leading sugar plantations.