Negril needs your opinion...

[negrilsand]

I would be adamant in my desire that no high rise buildings be allowed within the immediate area of the sea shore.Perhaps any building above two stories would not be allowed between the present coastal road and the beginning of the foreshore. Really any high rise should be forbidden in the environs or village limits of Negril.Perhaps three stories would be allowed across the present road from the beach. National parks and sea shores should be established to provide long term protection of the undeveloped area. Where appropriate services would be needed, concessions could be granted much as concessions are granted in national parks in other countries. These could be food shops, boat rentals etc. There should be a time limit for any concessions and any permanent structures such as concrete or block structures would be restricted. There should be restrictions on the sort of drainage allowed into the sea. Public access right of ways to the beach should be established and clearly defined with markers etc. The Grand Morass should be restored as much as possible and natural areas that still exist should be protected. Subcommittees should be established to explore the possibility of receiving grants from international preservation organizations such as the United Nations. Smaller groups and organization should not be overlooked. I think that it will take an enormous effort to just maintain the status quo. It will take a heroic effort from all concerned including the overseas visitors to improve and restore Negril.

[MikeyNYC]

I feel like I'm missing something. I agree with everything that has been in place, although not "adhered to." Are the two amendments we are asked to opine on, the change in maximum height of buildings and the change to setback limits? If those are the only two, then maybe I'm not missing anything.

If the "change" is meaning to reduce setback limits, then that's just insane. I'm not an engineer but I grew up in Atlantic City and watched our beaches shrink, then get dredged and pumped, then shrink, then dunes put in, then more dunes etc. The only way I could see that (reduction in setback) working would be to destroy the reef, pump a hundred yards of new beach and more forward with the breakwater. I mean, nonstarter. Next question, ya know?

As for the building height; it would be extremely sad to have hotels up to ten stories high along the beach. Aside what others have expressed about loving the trees, the natural feel and the local vibe, how would the infrastructure needed be addressed? An entire new sewarage system would be needed. I don't want to think about the disastrous effects of any "shortcuts" that might be taken while such an enormous endeavor is ongoing.

To echo what Billndonna stated, I too love Negril just as it is. That is why I don't go to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Cancun etc anymore. They all have sun, rum and great food but it's not Negril. I understand change is inevitable but it would be a tragic loss if Negril, stopped being Negril.

[wha gwan]

Two thoughts. Here she states,
"Few, if any, of these requirements have been adhered to. Where permission of the NRCA was required to remove important coastal features, it was given in many cases. Removal also proceeded illegally. The Government of Jamaica did declare the Negril Environment Protection Area, including the Negril Marine Park and the Orange Bay Fish sanctuary, but the management of these assets is clearly weak."

If the existing regulations have not been effectively enforced, then the written regulations do not carry much meaning. It seems that the issue is that no one is taking responsibility for oversight.

Secondly, since hotels are limited in height, they have been expanding horizontally - across beach road onto the garden side. Place like White Sands Negril (for example) have limited beach space which is densely packed with people. My concern is that the beach is not wide enough in many locations to accommodate a significant increase in bodies. Negril is not Puerto Vallarta with a wide beach that can handle rows of high rise resorts.

Happy trails!

[Chris B]

I appreciate the link shared by Accompong as much or moreso than the one Rob provided, simply because of a phone call I received from a fellow visitor to Negril two days ago. We were discussing the fact that neither of us were aware of the status of the breakwater project, and he had asked me if I knew where the Issa family stood on that issue (I did not). It's encouraging to me to see that they lean toward the preservation stand, despite the fact that some of the development and expansion projects they've undertaken are not consistent with the 1981 directives.

As for inviting Negril stakeholders, including us, to weigh in on these proposals, I am very wary and, in fact, cynical. I bristle when invited to express my opinion on something that's already been settled. For the Big Money to try to make Negril stakeholders feel like they are a part of any decision making process in this is a pretty standard piece of hypocrisy.

Unfortunately for those of us who love what Negril was, or even is, this will get done. Trust me... if the one of the biggest money interests on the strip (and arguably, the most successful) is concerned for their stake in Negril, the beach is in serious trouble.

Thanks Rob, for the opportunity to vent.

[captaind & Linston]

Change is inevitable.

I remember Negril from 1969. Boca Raton, Daytona, Ocean City NJ , Atlantic City NJ. Isla Mujeres , Talum ......on and on......

In my job as a ship’s master I’ve seen some of the most beautiful beaches in the world .....and they all get developed sooner or later. Old saying “money talks..BS walks”

Even now there’s talk of a housing scheme in my own little Spring Garden. Will Zion Hill look down on Negril urban sprawl in place of what was a valley of sugar cane?

At age 72 I have little to say of what is to come....That will be left to Linston and Ailsa to live their lives in their time.

I doubt that meetings, proposals etc will have any affect...look at the breakwater issue. However, I can hope that development will be sensible with any eye on the future generations but who knows? Cynical?..perhaps

“Be here now” for these are the good old days........ weep not for the past

Cap

[Mrs Wilson]

No No No! I spend a lot (way too much) time daydreaming about Caribbean travel. Especially since my "favorite" hotel is often seeming on the verge of extinction, or at the least, not having electricity when I get there (!) But every time I look for another paradise, I am hit with the photos of the huge sprawling skyscraper hotels, and that is so not what i want. The only place I have found, within reasonable travel distance from US for us, is Negril. It is perfect the way it is. And it is unique because of how it is. There are other beautiful remote spots, but they are truly remote - and don't have the beach life and spirit of Negril, just the beauty.

It's one of a kind, and it appeals to all of us. I suspect the clientele Negril now enjoys would find themselves trying other places if Negril no longer was unique and special.

[Ras Walleye]

Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you've got till its gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

[Accompong]

Change is inevitable.

I remember Negril from 1969. Boca Raton, Daytona, Ocean City NJ , Atlantic City NJ. Isla Mujeres , Talum ......on and on......

In my job as a ship’s master I’ve seen some of the most beautiful beaches in the world .....and they all get developed sooner or later. Old saying “money talks..BS walks”

Even now there’s talk of a housing scheme in my own little Spring Garden. Will Zion Hill look down on Negril urban sprawl in place of what was a valley of sugar cane?

At age 72 I have little to say of what is to come....That will be left to Linston and Ailsa to live their lives in their time.

I doubt that meetings, proposals etc will have any affect...look at the breakwater issue. However, I can hope that development will be sensible with any eye on the future generations but who knows? Cynical?..perhaps

“Be here now” for these are the good old days........ weep not for the past

Cap

Hi David,

Liked your post and just wanted to add a couple of thoughts.

Well a tourist and a Jamaican look at development quite differently. A tourist wants a laid-back "no problem" visit and a Jamaican wants jobs to feed his family. The more mega-developments that get built by foreign investors, more low paying jobs will be created. I don't know the current rate of pay for a housekeeper at a mega-resort but a few years ago it was about $50 US for a week. If you allow Jamaican small business owners to increase their room offerings, they will hire more people at a little better wages and a much better working environment.

Jamaica is recording record numbers of visitors every year and the numbers continue to climb. Sad fact of life is that the new visitors are willing to pay more to stay per night and buying into the "Jamaica is not a safe place so stay in the compound" mantra propagated to keep returning visitors loyal to their brand. Profits go up and more foreign investors offer money to buy out the little guy with the small coconut tree restriction.

When you decide not to visit any longer because Negril is too developed, don't cry for Jamaica because a whole lot more people will be rushing in to fill the void your leaving created. The Cancun operators who used to get your dollars can't remember your name any longer after you quit coming and so it will be with Negril. Your friends will find new friends and (they hope) more generous friends even though you have been generous with them.

Perhaps then you will realize like CaptD and I have realized that Jamaica is bigger than Negril and still has a whole lot to offer the tourist.

Before you run away to Cuba or Puerto WhatEverTheNextInPlaceIstoVacation, widen your vision when it comes to staying in Jamaica.

Just my personal opinion.

Peace and Guidance

[wbgonne]

My wife and I have vacationed in Negril for the past five winters. We are not returning next year due to the planned breakwater construction. We are booked for St. John instead. If the new development comes to Negril we will not return again because that will ruin the charm that makes Negril so attractive in get first place. I do not believe "growth is inevitable." That is a choice. And, considering climate change and sea-level rise, the kind of "growth" now envisioned for Negril is insane. Negril can barely handle the amount of development it already has.

I think Jamaica is killing its golden goose for a few extra eggs. Just my opinion, of course.

[johng]

To all posters on this thread, thanks for the insightful posts. To Rob, Captaind and Accompong, we share a common point of view regarding Negril past, present and future. Those of us lucky enough to have discovered Negril when it was a "Sleepy little fishing village" have seen the changes and "progress" over the years. Like you said Cap most everywhere in the world has changed in 40 years why can Negril be any different. As Accompong pointed out is the fact that Jamaica (The Country) has so much to offer so those who truly love Jamaica, if disappointed with Negril can find other places on the island to go that are awesome too.

I find that reading articles on the Jamaica Daily Gleaner and Observer online provide very interesting points of view regarding JA. Do I believe everything I read, No but I do "Glean" from the information that is available. Jamaica no different from any other country has many problems to deal with. I have a difficult time with politicians from anywhere when it comes to honesty and integrity. It matter not the USA or JA or Europe the common factor is human nature and too often the common thread is GREED.

Negril's future is in the hands of those in a position to control. The Politicians, the zoning board members, and to some degree the Jamaican voters. Will it become a high rise hotel strip like south Florida or other Carib destinations that go up because that is the only direction remaining??? Time will tell???