I agree with onthecorner-common sense.
I agree with onthecorner-common sense.
Not being a resident I'm hesitant to state my opinions on such a local issue. I do however have several concerns with the possibility of larger highrise hotels being built in Negril. First and foremost is the ability for the environment and other natural resources to handle increasing capacity. My second concern is the possibility of "walling off" the residents from their beach and obstructing views from the surrounding countryside. Of course we all love the quaintness of Negril as it is today otherwise many of us would be staying in other more developed resort towns in and out of Jamaica. However, It would be pretty selfish of one to say that progress should not come to Negril just so we can continue to enjoy the Negril we know today.
I am not convinced that larger hotels would create more jobs and be an economic plus. This is the same promise made by walmart whenever they wanted to build a new store in a small town. At first new low wage jobs were created. Slowly but surely the smaller businesses that serviced the community closed their doors because they were not able to compete. Businesses that once provided a comfortable living to families for generations were gone. In the end more jobs were lost then gained. I would hate to see this happen in Negril as larger hotels were build that offered everything one needs, and more, under one air conditioned roof.
Last edited by Kevin, PA; 02-23-2015 at 05:41 PM.
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I was VERY sad to read this post. I just returned form Negril. I think it was about my 25th visit. I have lost count, but my first visit was in 1988. I have been to Montego Bay, Ochi. Negril is a jewel that should not lose its sparkle. I love being on the beach and seeing the mountains. What makes Negril so special is how ecclectic it is - the little painted shops, the local vendors that you see year after year and they are proud and warm, the amazing local food. This is a sacred place and should be treated as such. I used to go to Cozumel, Mexico and loved it for many years. I went 5 years ago, after having not been there for several years and will never go back. The charming small hotels have all been replaced with mega resorts. The Cozumeleno people that own restaurants and shops are all suffering. The tourists that like the AI resort or "cookie cutter" vacations do not want to go to a place with local flavor. They want something "safe" and recognizable from back home in the states. Leave Negril the charming place that it is. Part of the beauty of a trip to Negril is that everyone you meet is a long time repeat visitor and we all share a true love of the place and the Jamaican culture and people. Let the AI crowd go to Mo Bay or Ochi, or to the monstrosity that has been built on the outskirts of Lucea. Has that helped the people of Lucea? The Jamaican Tourist Association should designate Negril as an eco - tourism town. PLEASE do not ruin our sacred, cherished place. If 10 story buildings are put up - I'm "OUT" and so will be numerous friends that love Negril for it's unique charm. Don't do it!!!
I would not like to see the restrictions eased . I would not want to see multi storied resorts, and any new building should be futher off the surf line.
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I love Negril and I plan to keep going there as long as it is beautiful. I fear my visiting years are numbered, however, when things get built up like how the RIU resorts raped Bloody Bay. I fear to see same thing happening to 7-mile beach like when I look at sprawling sterile places like "Couples Swept Away", "Beaches", "Sandals", and all those other ugly AI's. I will have to reluctantly look for somewhere else if that happens.
There are many interesting and valid points made in this thread. Nobody is 100% wrong and nobody is 100% right. Common sense is a great prevailing attitude here! The opinions are all certainly worth pondering, and I hope the synopsis given to the powers that be will reflect all this.
Negril needs to grow and progress; that is inevitable. It is also inevitable that some the charm we come for may be – likely will be – lost – but it CAN be replaced with “better”.
It seems common that building above the 2-3 story mark is not wanted. Not warranted.
There have been a number of valid reasons why this should not be allowed. One I have not seen is infrastructure. Under the current population of locals and tourists, it seems that the electrical grids and sewage systems are strained at best. It seems to me that if one is to go with this plan, preferably not on the beach side (helloooo Miami!), that the first step would be to have serious studies done on the current electrical and sewage systems, and remediating them to beyond today’s needs, with an eye to supporting a larger tourist population.
The plans laid out in the article, seem to starting in the middle. Not at the root.
Where does Negril want to be in 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years.
What tourist populations do they want to attract and how do they do that.
How is our current infrastructure – roads, sidewalks, sewage and sewage disposal handling; garbage control and handling – supporting the current needs. What needs to be done to support the growth needs, and how we achieve that. Other infrastructure to be considered should encompass, but is not limited to emergency plans; water distribution; security and policing needs; traffic control. New resorts should be built but they should have strict codes to adhere to in terms of power consumption – utilization of solar power? – sewage control and disposal, water distribution, recycling, garbage handling. How do we cope as seamlessly as possible with draught conditions without “robbing Peter to sustain Paul’s visitors”, as seems to be done now.
There is a major push on all fronts globally to be ecological and sustainable – how is this growth achieved while being ecological, sustainable?
How do we protect our natural resources? Identify the most important natural resources and what needs to be done the repair and sustain them. (The beach, it seems to me, is a HUGE natural resource! ‘nuff said). Ditto for the cliffs.
Jamaica is a position to put herself in the forefront of intelligent tourist development, and be the poster child for the Caribbean and worldwide resorts, if she chooses wisely. She can be a world class example of how to handle growing tourist needs, while maintaining the older demographic, and maintaining the island as it is, with minimal impact on natural resources.
They need to look at the current tourist population – and let’s be honest – a major portion of this board is over 45. The demographic I see on the beach is certainly over 45. They need to attract younger people who start coming as singles; continue as married couples, and want to come with their kids and continue once their kids are grown. They need to maintain us, the older ones, but in the grand scheme of things, we will not be coming as long as the younger population they need. How to attract and hold.
Negril is not Jamaica and Jamaica is not Negril. Perhaps they need to look at this island-wide. I certainly think Chris Blackwell’s plan for the Oracabessa region is a terrible plan, unless you like $3,500 a night resorts that are exclusive of most of both the native and tourist population.
They need to study other resort islands and areas and ask the hard questions. What did you do wrong? What would they change? How could they have done it better?
All of this takes time and $$$ so they need to keep the current tourist population coming and happy. It could be done, and what a wonderful thing it would be to have other tourist areas coming to Jamaica to study what they did because they did it right.
I know. I dream in colour. But … it could happen! I’m going to go hug a tree now.
(Off topic comments have been removed from this post. Please remain on the topic of the amendments to the current building guidelines for the development order for the Negril and Green Island Area. Thank you.)
a change allowing increase to building heights would be the beginning of the end of negril forever. this change will ruin the draw and the charm of negril. i have travelled all over the Caribbean and negril is the most unique and best location i have ever travelled. i own a real estate company and fully understand that the money will make the decision and high rise buildings will inevitably rule negril beach. the longer that can be avoided the better. i have visiting negril 10 times however once i see the high rise buildings going up, i will not return. i prefer to remember negril for its charm not what it will eventually become. sad news to hear this.
There's something to be said about ... old world charm ... thank-you Sevenmile
Please don't let Negril become another Cancun ...
major development = major problems ..for the tourist industry ..which Negril ..is founded
I think ..if a pole was taken ...Almost everyone on this board..has been to Ja. quite a few times ..I for one started in 1989 & have lost count of the times ..I set my toes on the beach
My 15 year old son ... 12 or 13 times ..
Why do we fight projects ..such as a cruise ship pier ..in the westend ... because we love Negril as a small town ...
Not another Mo Bay
I am definitely not in favour for the changes to the building of high rises or the changes to the natural environment just so the fat cats can get fatter. Money always prevails ! Question, whats going to happen to all the mega buildings with too many room accommodations and no one in them. I do not go to Cancun for that very reason ! I for one will go elsewhere. Sorry Negril I will miss you....
Irie Andy
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