Dart denied permission for tunnel extension

| 23/11/2017 | 162 Comments
Cayman News Service

The Dart tunnel on the West Bay Road

(CNS): The Central Planning Authority has denied the application from Cayman Shores Development, one of Dart’s network of companies, which had applied for permission to extend its tunnel on the West Bay Road. The decision was made yesterday evening after the CPA met and considered the application. The board has not yet published its reasoning for the refusal, but a number of concerns had been raised regarding the connections for and safety of pedestrians, the public right-of-ways to the sea and questions raised by the planning department, the Depart of Environment and the National Roads Authority about the justification for the tunnel’s extension.

The existing tunnel, which is more than 400 feet, received planning permission in February after Dart bought the beachfront property at Royal Palms in September. But as the developer was in the process of putting on the roof, it made an application to extend the underpass to 600 feet.

CNS understands that the aim is to connect Dart’s beachfront property with Camana Bay, and after securing the controversial sky rights in the area, it has plans to build on top of the tunnel, dramatically changing the appearance of the West Bay Road in the heart of the Seven Mile Beach tourist area.

However, the CPA has thrown a spanner in the works, at least temporarily.

The developer has not yet stated if it intends to appeal the decision, and in a short statement following Wednesday’s decision said, “Dart Real Estate understands the application to extend the West Bay Road underpass to the Royal Palms site has not been approved following the November 22 meeting. We await the Central Planning Authority’s official rationale for its decision.”

Following the increased and retrospective concerns about the tunnel, especially from the NRA, Dart had submitted more information to planning ahead of yesterday’s meeting in an effort to try to alleviate those concerns, but it appears not to have been enough to offset them and the mounting controversy surrounding the development, as the public begins to realise the implications of the tunnel.

In recent comments on CNS readers raised their concerns, ranging from the lack of beach access and aesthetics to over-development and carbon monoxide poisoning.

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Comments (162)

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  1. Felix says:

    Truth is we all have to sell to Dart as we have nothing left but our lands. We can not afford to live in cayman from day to day. It’s just too expensive. So sell my land to Dart and start somewhere else where, health care is affordable, utilities are reasonable and property insurance won’t kill a poor retiree like me

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  2. Anonymous says:

    All the works he has undertaken are to service his own real estate holdings. They are not philanthropic gestures to the good people of Cayman. I wonder how many people imagine 3 lane highways and tunnels when they think of a Caribbean island!?

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  3. Anonymous says:

    I just want to commend and congratulation the Central Planning Authority (CPA), the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Department of Environment for their objections and the CPA’s eventual denial of the tunnel/overpass extension on Wednesday evening. This was a fantastic decision, and the people of the Cayman Islands thank you for it! My only regret is that the same should have happened for the proposal of the first phase of the overpass.

    As most Caymanians and many Expats would agree, Dart should have always been kept at arm’s length with his proposals. Meaning, “Yes” to some development, but with clear limitations in place. (I know that’s a real understatement by now).

    As for the Camana Bay center on its own, I myself have enjoyed the initial Camana Bay development. But migoodness, everything in moderation! The first overpass has killed the beautiful front-side view of the center, to the point that persons driving by can no longer look in to see the gorgeous row of palm trees and seasonal christmas tree. The second overpass on SMB road is already hideous. It blocks the beautiful island view of palm trees along the road which so many locals and tourists enjoy. And now Dart wants an extension so he can construct buildings ON TOP of the overpass – what a monstrosity! Sir Dart, what are you thinking!! You’re ruining Seven Mile Beach!!

    For those government heads who doubt the negative impact over-development is already having on tourism, and who often need the advice of a foreigner to make up your mind about the rate of development in Cayman, please view this newsclip:

    https://cayman27.ky/2017/11/long-time-visitors-overwhelmed-with-quickening-pace-of-development/

    While I believe most Caymanians are not necessarily yearning for the “Good old days,” we sure would like to have some Good New Days, which seems in danger by the excess of the same types of development that started the whole thing to begin with. Moderation is key.

    CPA, NRA, Dept of Environment – please hold your ground on this one.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Dart Royalty will make their usual flattering calls to individuals on the board and achieve their goals.

  4. Unison says:

    Not knowing the details of the application, but let’s say, Dart requested extendion of the existing underpass some 600 feet – without giving a solid explanation as to how this extension will be accomplished.

    I can’t help but not blame the CPA staff for summarizing that the extension of 600 feet will include measurements that will block public access to the Royal Palm’s beach instead of the other way, Darts residence to connect with Camana Bay.

    *A natural resource like a sandy beach, is our jewel, it’s a natural right of all peoples. It should never be owned, bought or sold. It is not a man-made thing.

    I do hope our heads of government remain loyal to the CPA’s decision if that is their rationale ?

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  5. Barry G. says:

    Caymanians are jealous of Dart. The Dart people do a great job and world class. You have to have planning if you are going to have 60,000 plus people. Cayman is no longer cow roads and little shacks with mosquitoes. Those were not the good ole days. We prefer air conditioning, food varieties from the USA and Dart making the place look beautiful. Go Dart. Fix up dumpy Cayman. People should shut up. No one knows why they hate Dart. They just do.

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    • Anon says:

      Stop smoking pot minion. We are all aware we dislike being taken over by an greedy few who would sell their soul and mother to have their way.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah shit stain everyone wants to live the American dream,but don’t forget about the American nightmares,like terrorism, mass murders of innocent people,poverty and the list goes on, the good ol days were the best days here in cayman there wasn’t crime and peace was through out the land, just like what our anthem says,oh land of soft fresh breezes, didn’t need no ac then and a little fire burning with cow shit would run the mosquitos, cayman was a place where time forgot now its a place where time is running out. Smh

    • Anonymous says:

      The “Dart People” are Caymanians, the haters don’t like it but that’s just the way things are.

  6. Anonymous says:

    hey guys….dart isnt forcing anyone to sell their land to him? how about ww lease it to him? get a piece of the pie?!!!????☺

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    • Anonymous says:

      Who dares to oppose Ceasar / Dart? you will know his wrath, {Election Dollars that is}

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      • Diogenes says:

        Spoiler: the whole “dictator for life” thing didn’t really end well for Caesar, also if you are going to compare Dart to anyone it would be Marcus Licinius Crassus the man who financed Caesar and one of the richest men in Rome (and in ancient history)

        The fact that you spelled Caesar wrong implies you aren’t a real student of history however, so it is unsurprising you overlooked the real financier of the age

        Also just as an extra tip, the people who assassinated Caesar didn’t really end up winning in the end either, the man was seen as a martyr and deified after his death. In their attempt to prevent a man from becoming their king by assassinating him the Senators destabilized their own form of government and directly lead to the Roman Empire and the rise of Caesar’s nephew/adopted son being the Emperor.

        So if Dart really is the Caesar in this scenario then we are screwed buddy
        Diogenes

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  7. Another Eyesore says:

    So far, tunnel #1 by Camana Bay looks ugly. Dirt and debris inside the tunnel. Its an eyesore. I thought it would be a tunnel with a bus stop and adverts of the side. I hate to say this, but reminds me like downtown Miami.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Have you seen Westbay road and ETH, all the rubbish thrown out there? Or are you having selective memory. Generally at least once every couple of weeks I see people cleaning the underpass. All I see on the other roads is people throwing trash out their car windows. Suspect you just another nay sayer trying to find something to hate.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Reason why the tunnel looks like Miami is because you have the same caliber of trash
      living on the island.

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  8. MM says:

    “Air parcel” LOL!!! This stuff is becoming too crazy to be true. So we have overdeveloped west bay road so much that we must now build ON TOP of the street; LOL!!! It isn’t funny, but I have to laugh at it.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, we must build on top of a main street in order to be sufficiently developed. That’s actually what has somehow happened on a Caribbean island.

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  9. Rp says:

    People bitched about the closure of the wb road (Ezzard was going to lay down in front of bulldozers), people bitched about the bridge, people bitched about Camana Bay, people bitched about public beach sand, but soon they forget and then use each one of those facilities. Let’s stop being hypocrites.

    It is such a hypocrisy for govt to deny because of carbon monoxide when they cause the most pollution with their waste management facilities located 1 mile away from tunnel and in the heart of smb, next to where we educate our kids (cis)

    Look at the fans he was probably told to install under the first túnel to move “trapped emissions”. It is so ridiculous for such a small tunnel.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The dump was there first. You live here you contribute to the waste too!

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    • Anonymous says:

      You are wrong. You do not speak for everyone. Everyone does NOT go to CBay. I still do not utilize any of those items you mention in your first sentence.
      Speak for yourself. I can assure you that I am not the only one.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    The long term intent to build on top has hardly been kept a secret, pretty sure the NRA is well aware and probably saw the same presentation the rest of us did.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    wow ..never knew there were so many ‘tunnel’ experts in cayman…..

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  12. Anonymous says:

    The sheeple of the Cayman Islands drinking Dart Koolaide. I feel for those that will have nowhere to go once Cayman has sold out all valuable and invaluable properties. You folks are foofoos
    I’d say most at CBay are expats anyway. Almost all actually.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Give the guy a chance, he just put the tunnels in, the highway is barely finished. When the project is complete, it will look great, just like Camana Bay does. If he was saying that only certain people were welcome I would be annoyed, but Camana bay and the connect to 7 mile are open for all to use.

      I will admit that there is no need to extend the tunnel any further, it is long enough. But don’t hate on the guy for building it and trying to make something nice.

      On another note, I hope that all this puts an end to the drunks ripping out of Royal Palms every Sunday afternoon…

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      • Anonymous says:

        Dart owns Royal Palms. Tunnel = ?????

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      • Anonymous says:

        I don’t think it will be connected for all to use. Sorry. In case you didn’t know, tenants of the Residences have a fob which allows them direct beach access through a Dart owned property…the tunnel/whatever is going on top will also be beneficial to what he is going to put in place of Royal Palms now. Watch and see…

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    • Anonymous says:

      Ok 9:16- please explain your gripe with expats frequenting CBay.
      While at it, please share your ill will towards expats.

      Not sure how expats are relevant in the conversation about a tunnel being built by a Caymanian company with Caymanian owner.

  13. Anonymous says:

    next he will put a canal from north sound to 7 mile beach??? you watch and see…??

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    • Anonymous says:

      Aww that’s already been done, have you missed the big west bay bridge with the canals going under… when will people wake up!!!

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  14. Anonymous says:

    If Dart hated America so much that he gave up his US citizenship why is he hell bent on turning us into a mini America? I personally hate what we are turning into!

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    • Anonymous says:

      go to the brac…

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      • Anonymous says:

        This actually might be a good idea. The Brac needs a little development and revitalization there. But notice the key word: “A little.”

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        • Anonymous says:

          but the reality is the that the dart-haters could not live 2 days in the brac without running back to grand…..

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    • Anonymous says:

      You should move to East End or the Brac then. No need to suffer the first world development if you don’t like it. Let the rest of us enjoy it without your complaining.

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    • Fred the Piemaker says:

      He didn’t hate America – he even tried to keep living there by being appointed consul for Belize – he just hated paying tax.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Tax and vigorous asset protection from the environmental liability tab, still being tallied globally. Does anyone really believe the use of dozens of sneaky nominees to land bank large tracts of real estate in North America and Caribbean is anything other than squirrelling chestnuts from those that might knock on their door one day? DuPont Family, Koch, they’re all doing the same thing…

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    • Anonymous says:

      Dart did not want to pay taxes?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Absolutely. And that’s how Cayman ends up with all these racist Republican Americans. (This comment is not intended for you cool Democrats).

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    • Anonymous says:

      Who ever said he hated America?? He did that to avoid taxes hun. He also tried to build a Belize embassy in Sarasota where his family lives in order to be the Ambassador/diplomat and live there. Which would mean he could live in the US and still avoid taxes. I’m not sure if it was Bush or Bill Clinton that vetoed that right away.
      I wish more people would educate themselves on this guy before defending him like he’s a god.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Who said he hated the US? Financial reasons probably dictated the change.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    gotta hand it to the top brass at dart, they must have a right laugh when they comeup with their plans and think how can they get away with stuff next……they were let build a school next to a dump, then they managed to raise the ground level before building the restircted height of 10 storeys for the kimpton, now they’re managing to get away with what can only be described as a rather obnoxious colon down the middle of west bay road….they keep pushing the boundaries on stuff thats done and dusted before anyone in power really has a clue what’s going on…..fair play to them really, seeing opportunities and striking is all what capitalism and free markets is about…..i’d bet they’ll have a channel dredged right under that bridge by the kimpton from the governors harbour direct into seven mile beach inside the next few years

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    • Anonymous says:

      If this is what they decide to do so it shall be. Dart will get his extended tunnel. Dart will get whatever he wants as our elected officials will not stand up him. The sale of Cayman soul to Dart is all but complete.

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    • Anonymous says:

      “i’d bet they’ll have a channel dredged right under that bridge by the kimpton from the governors harbour direct into seven mile beach inside the next few years”

      Over my dead body! There is no chance in hell any real Caymanian will sit back and watch that happen.

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      • Anonymous says:

        What is a real Caymanian, because it’s not a race or nationality, it’s a descriptive word for someone who comes from the Cayman Islands. In fact anyone.
        You’re too spineless to stop a canal if Dart wants one, we’ve heard all your threats before and nothing ever happened. Go back to bed bobo.

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  16. "Anonymousir" says:

    The Current Cayman Government, which includes MLAs from the past, has FAILED the people of the Cayman Islands. The “Caymanian” people. not the expat. Thanks to the current government and previous ones’, DART gets to do what he wants. and if you think DART cares about “Caymanians” Think again. Alden and Mckeeva will never know what it is like to be in the shoes of a Caymanian, until you all take away that privilege from them. Has long as they are in government, THEY WILL NEVER SEE THE ISSUES!!! Stop voting for them!!

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  17. anonymous says:

    Well said, 6.59 pm. The removed-from-reality farce that is “Caymana Bay” was bad enough, now this tunnel/”air-parcel” lunacy to add insult to injury. Just how long will this clown entity Dart and its legion of money-grabbing hangers-on be allowed to hold sway? For goodness sake, Caymanians, wake up and take your country’s future back!

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  18. Richard Wadd says:

    Dear CNS, this is NOT a Tunnel. It is a Bridge or Overpass. Another mal-description often seen used is ‘Landfill’. The DUMP is exactly that, a Dump. It is not now, never was and never will be a Landfill because it was never designed or managed as such.
    While my argument may seem petty to most, words are powerful tools that shape our thoughts and actions. A Tunnel is not usually considered an eyesore as they are seldom pronounced visible features on a landscape, but rather go under or through naturally occuring features such as hills or rivers.
    Kudos to the Planning Board for the ‘no’ vote … let’s hope that both DART & the Govt respects the decision.
    We need to also change the building code so that we no longer allow the construction of more that 3 stories on the Beach side of the road. I don’t care if we go to 20 on the land side, but we MUST preserve the beach for ALL who come to and live in these islands, tourists and locals alike.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    The aura has already gone, now it is just like any other place loaded with stuff no one really want to buy and if they do they cannot afford. The only worthwhile space there is the bookstore and the book nook has some of the same books and still have a certain quaintness that I love in bookstores. Quality visitors of years past love the quaintness and intimacy Cayman had to offer, now it is becoming gaudy for the rich with shallow minds. They think they are smart but hey, it is still easier to fool oneself.

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    • Anonymous says:

      then stay away from camana bay…..

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      • Anonymous says:

        I do. Have no desire to go though those death traps. Can you tell us your 1001 ways that your obvious visits there enhance you life. I rather stay in the suburbs where we can still breathe fresh air, grow my fertilizer and insecticide free veggies and fruits and my lovely orchids.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Trust me, there are many that do stay away. No need to be told by a troll.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    If you think for one minute that Caymanian greed and self interest won’t have the final say on this matter, you are sorely mistaken.
    SMB was ruined long before Dart, it was CIG’s lack of planning and infrastructure investment that has allowed a concrete wall of empty condos and monolith hotels to be built. Perhaps if Caymanians invested in their own capital instead of allowing developers to constantly build office blocks along the waterfront in place of affordable restaurants, cafes and bars, and shopping opportunities not owned by one family, then Caymana Bay might not have been necessary.
    GT is a soulless and badly thought out embarrassment, it is becoming dangerously overcrowded and gridlocked with nothing to offer except tacky t’shirts or over priced jewellery. There is nothing to attract visitors either during the day or evenings so the reality of Dart is that he is the product of a continuing Caymanian lack of vision and investment in one of their main and increasing sources of income, tourism.
    You wanted the billionaire set to grace your Islands with their obnoxious presence, what did you think would happen when they demanded high end real estate and facilities? Be careful what you wish for Cayman and start investing your own money into your country instead of relying on others whose vision isn’t comparable with yours.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I agree, most Caymanians with money prefer to leave their dollars in the banks and watch it get no interest, while the banks pile on every kind of fee they can come up with. We have sat back with our docile, grin grin, laid back mentality and allowed all this madness to take place. Don’t forget that there is always a fool fool Caymanian who would sell their soul for a bowl of pottage just so they could cosey up to these crazy investors. I rememeber when this man first arrived here from wherever he was the Wight Twins were always on the radio trying to get the public to understand exactly who this man was and what he was a part of in other parts of the world. Heck don’t even them can make a whimper now. BIg Mac began this train wreck and little Mac put the final nail in the Cayman coffin. It was all about Dart spending his money on Cayman while they wasted every bloody penny they could get their paws on. What a legacy they are leaving behind.

    • Anonymous says:

      i do not feel comfortable investing in Dart’s Cayman.

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    • Rodney A. Barnett IV says:

      I agree with most of what is said in the comment above. However, I would like to emphasize the comments detailing the lack of vision and planning by CIG now, and in the past. There is no overarching vision or plan for Cayman. Even the Dart Group does not have such a vision. After all, if it did (or does) why does the public not have an idea what that vision is? CIG appears to approve un-coordinated development here and there, wherever someone wants to build something. CIG does not even have a vision of the island itself. An example of that would be how only once road development begins, the government then and only then begins negotiations to purchase necessary right-of-way.

      As far as tourists go, once “landed” there is nothing in the port area to get them excited, or make Cayman stand out. Just another tourist trap of expensive junk that will soon be forgotten once people return home. Walk around the Georgetown area an see the worn out dirty streets, sidewalks, complete lack of green space or even a place to sit and relax by the sea. Greedy merchants and overpriced chain restaurants are mostly what is offered. Camana Bay, farther north is nice, but again little green space, shade or places to chill. Besides Camana Bay, as well planned and costly as it was to build, is just another outdoor shopping plaza that can be found anywhere. Again, nothing special to find in its array of brand name shops.

      • Anonymous says:

        “why does the public not have an idea what that vision is” Really?? That’s stupid. Why would he tell?

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  21. Anonymous says:

    What we already have is possibly the ugliest, and most ludicrous construction on any Caribbean island. And why – so Dart can get a bit more land space to put up another unnecessary building. This government has sold out the heritage of this, and all future generations.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The master will get what the master wants and all of us will accept it. Once we have sold out we relinquish all to the almighty dollar!

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    • West bay Premier says:

      My concerns about all this development that is going on today , that it’s looking like every sq inch of the Island has to be developed today and there’s no future generations that needs to be able to see the Island that looks like an Island instead of a concrete jungle and have any LAND left to develop in the future .

      Is anyone thinking and know that after you build something and it’s not what one might need or want then you have to knock it down and there goes more cost , and the Island loses a lot of positive potential for potential investors for the future generations.

      I think that all the greedy and selfish People who are doing all the development today need to stop and think about the future generations..

      Just think about what if in the future that some unforeseen thing happened to the Cayman Islands Economy and all of the expat leave the Island to get work to do. then we would have housing abandoned for say 20 thousand people . What would the Island look like then ?

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      • Anonymous says:

        We are a LONG way from that point. By your logic we should never build anything and any unused land would be worthless (to have a value at all means someone having an intention to put it to use at some point).

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      • Anonymous says:

        There should be some building out towards the Eastern Districts. But not by Dart. I think he’s done enough now.

    • Anonymous says:

      Interesting view 10.09. Most visitors that come here love the mixture of quaint and modern, with undoubtedly the best infrastructure in the Caribbean, and the safest new buildings around. Whilst the majority find the other islands “quaint” they get tired quickly of the third world infrastructure, mosquitoes, poor roads and intermittent power supply. Whichever way you look at it, Cayman has and is doing well.

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  22. anonymous says:

    What the hell are you smoking, sportsfan? Get real.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    The new legislation re air parcels is all to permit what Dart wants to build on top of the underpass. You really think this new legislation was put in place to NOT be used. They will find a way around it. The sea to sound grand plan clearly requires complete ownership and autonomous development. I keep wondering why people keep supporting this leech.

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  24. Anonymous says:

    I expect an edit to follow from CPA- denied to be replaced by postponed. Semantics.

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  25. Anonymous says:

    All for development but the tunnels do seem to be somewhat of an overkill and just stick out like a sore thumb.
    As for the extra lanes past the dump, Oh so nice to be even closer to the nauseating stench as you drive passed. All that was needed to improve the flow of traffic at peak times was the improvement of the road layout past Camana.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    wow…lots of anti-dart comments here that are based on nothing….

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    • Shhhhhhhhhh. says:

      No, based on guile, deceiption and artful manipulation of the system to get own way regardless of the feelings of the Caymanian people. It has been a consistent style and M.O. for years and long enough for resentment to build up. Your saying “based on nothing” is naive, cynical and disrespectful to the very obvious feelings of the people. This did not all start recently and is the result of persistent “Get my own way, regardless” Dart style of operating, which puts peoples backs up. This is a small island, and people naturally feel threatened by large developers who operate in this manner, so open your eyes and your mind to the broader picture my friend, this aint NY!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Ok Dartbot

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    • Anonymous says:

      So says you with No knowledge of why the comments are like they are.
      Or were you just seeing how many thumbs down you could stir up?

  27. West bay Premier says:

    I am going to buy the top of the overpass and build homes with ocean view and over Island view and sell them for 2.5 million each .

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  28. Anonymous says:

    Should never have been approved, West Bay Road was already becoming a tunnel with the buildings on either side. Royal Palms was one rare place you could look towards the beach and see something other than a lobby for a building you will never be able to afford to live in.

    DART pumping money into the economy to realise a vision is a good thing, but it needs proper management. I think allowing him to enclose and build on top of what remains of our ‘coastal’ road was over the line. Too bad it’s there now. They better put something amazing on top.

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  29. Anonymous says:

    Basically a huge monstrosity and mistake. They are probably wishing they had never approved any of it in the first place.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t care how much money the Dart Group has invested in Cayman. He did it for Dart and If anyone think they looked st a map of the world and zoomed in on the Cayman Islands and said “we want to help those people” you are much mistaken. However, that does not give them or anyone else the right to come here and change the entire landscape of the seven mile strip with this monstrosity that only dwarfs every in proximity to it. I don’t understand why property owners down there Didn’t complain about it. Everybody afraid of Dart or what? . I can’t see it adding value to their property.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Which property owners? Dart owns all of it so there is no one to complain about or protest his plans.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Please note that nothing Dart does ever gets put out for public consultation. If Government wants to build a road they put the plan out for the public to review and comment on prior to the final go ahead. Dart just does it with Governments blessing the people are only informed after the fact.

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    • Linda says:

      Our tunnels will be the talk of the Caribbean when Dart is finished. In 10 years we will be begging for more tunnels.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    I love the reasons for objection…”over development”, if you want that go look at Malta, Gibraltar, Majorca, Tenerife…Cayman does not yet suffer that issue. “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning”…the levels of ignorance are astounding. Dart should build certain people caves so they don’t have to see all the things they fear, mostly without foundation, and we should not be forced to listen to their idiotic and unfounded whims.

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    • Anon says:

      The 400 feet tunnel should not have been built in the first place. How does this cave improve the quality of life for the people who shop, play, work, live and dine here? And we do not have to everything other countries do. Cayman do not have to be like every sickening dumb ass place on this planet.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Have you walked over the tunnel yet? It’s obviously better than trying to walk across the bypass and it’s actually very nice up there. I walk over it a few times a week and see tons of families walking together, people walking dogs, and people running up and down. You can argue whether it was necessary or not but I happen to like it and will be happy when we can walk all the way to the beach.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Malta, over developed ? Clearly you’ve never been there, or at least never stepped outside of Valletta. Muppet.

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    • anonymous says:

      I could be wrong, but I reckon you’ve not got a drop of Caymanian blood coursing through your veins. Something about your tone : hyper-aggressive, rude, insulting, thuggish to the core,up in your face : in short, an obnoxious and small-minded individual whose presence in Cayman we could well do without. “Caves”? I’d gladly pay for a cave to place you in, pal.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Touch a nerve 8.15? Nothing in the original post can be deemed to be anything like the drama queen words you use. Yes, in most places people who don’t like or understand development live in caves. Get over yourself. It is pretty obvious, as I have said before on here, that someone has decided to try and put Dart down on public and anonymous forums rather than fact…a little like the Russians trolling the US election. Read the comments, not many make any sense whatsoever, just hatred, stirring up “patriotic” feelings against a…oh yes, Caymanian.

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    • JGY says:

      To: the comment of 23/11/2017 Point is Grand Cayman is headed for the same mega over development as all those places mentioned and anyone who says Seven Mile Beach ain’t over developed will probably be a bad prospect to Cayman.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Tenerife is under developed so not sure where you are getting your info from.

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  31. Anonymous says:

    Big red herring…Dart probably didn’t even want it…”see Dart doesn’t own us….we make illogical decisions with him also”. But now they’ll his canal through the island

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  32. Anonymous says:

    Thank you!!!!

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  33. Anonymous says:

    jack and the bean-stock?

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  34. Anonymous says:

    Good. Their explanation as to beach access is disgusting. They cannot even tell us what they are building on top, or why, so they are not even properly explaining why a tunnel is needed in the first place.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Because you are qualified to know if that should happen or not, right? All of a sudden we have an island full of architectural, inheritance and rights of way experts, despite none of same having been enforced for anyone else. At least Dart applies for permission!

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      • Anonymous says:

        No we have an island where some of us still care. We don’t have much money but some us still have good taste and that tunnel is tasteless. Money has its limits, cannot buy taste or class.

      • Anonymous says:

        No. But I am qualified to know that if i want to build a 10 story building I should not expect that authorities to give planning permission for the foundation without telling them what it is the foundation for, and when the rest of the building is going to be built.

  35. Anonymous says:

    this makes zero sense…just like the NRA objections.
    dart should challenge.

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  36. Anonymous says:

    This is pathetic.

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  37. Anonymous says:

    Denied for now

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  38. West bay Premier says:

    I think that tunnel shouldn’t have been started in the place . Why do the Island need to have a tunnel that size and lenght ? Unless there’s some unknown plans for the future .
    But just think of being a pedestrian in that tunnel breathing all the exhaust fumes . And all other mishaps that could happen and you are trapped inside with no place to run .

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  39. Anonymous says:

    I generally like Dart’s developments, but glad this was blocked. We dont need a longer dark tunnel when the alternative is trees, landscaping and the open sky.

    I doubt the loss of 100 feet of a tunnel is going to radically and critically change any development plans.

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    • anonymous says:

      Not quite sure I follow your reasoning. Doesn’t the presence of the existing length of tunnel deprive us all of these same features also?

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  40. Anonymous says:

    All of you Dart deciples still think Dart is our Saviour?. He doesn’t give a rats behind about us or how inconvient he makes life for us. Do you think carbon monoxide , run away vehicles, overturned marl and rocks dumping truck or any kind of disaster that could happen in those tunnels bother them? Please do not think for a moment that this was not part of the original plans for us. While we are snoring they are up scheming how to make it more difficult for the natives.. life was so much nicer when we were the ” islands that time forgot” heck even the swarms of mosquitoes was more tolerably.

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  41. Anonymous says:

    good CPA – ‘the tunnel’ so far and the badge it brings is a hideous deviation to the organic nature of development on SMB, – ‘live, work, play,’ – they forgot ‘be consumed’

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  42. Anonymous says:

    I am ok with not extending this to the full width of their property. I t will be nice to pass by on the bus and at least get a glimpse of how the other half lives.

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  43. Anonymous says:

    “It shall come to (under)pass”

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  44. Anonymous says:

    Best news I’ve heard in a long time. Stop the madness that this developer is getting away with

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  45. Anonymous says:

    Have no fear.!! Cabinet will soon over rule this decision. We all know that Papa Dart always gets what he wants. One way or another.!! LMAO

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  46. Anonymous says:

    thanks to our wonderful politicians!? ?

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  47. Anonymous says:

    It’s 200 more feet, what a joke! Let them finish the project and done. I wonder how many of the same CPA board members will be at Camana Bay this weekend, enjoying Dart’s well thought out plans? This decision is complete lunacy.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Camana bay is well thought out, can’t say the same for the tunnels. He should not have been allowed build the first one let alone this one.

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  48. Anonymous says:

    A bit late on the awful tunnels but as they say better late than never. Camana Bay is laid out so nicely, what the hell they were thinking when they designed these things that reminds one of underground train tracks that have no place on this island. I am so happy that common sense prevailed here finally but wonder why it was ever approved.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I understood they were to double as hurricane shelters during category 3 and up events? Did I hear that correctly?

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      • I Wanna Be A Developer says:

        Logically, tunnels are not great hurricane shelters as flood water would tend to flow in to them. (See NY subways vs superstorm Sandy for a more extreme example.) Yes this new one is still at the old road level but as the land around it is raised it increases the chance that hurricane floods will be more than the tunelised roadway drainage can handle. So unlikely to be intended for hurricane shelter.

        Now, the land above the road should be high and dry. …

  49. Anonymous says:

    No big deal, wait a little while and appeal, CPA will slide it on thru! Those contractor members need the work.

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    • PD says:

      Don’t forget all the supplies one CPA member sells to the Dart group of companies, threaten that gravy train and that will really start some trouble. Just let Mr. money bags have his way and get on with it because he will win in the end.

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  50. Anonymous says:

    Let’s hope this is overturned. It is a fantastic development and no doubt the extension would make it all the better.

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    • Anonymous says:

      What is a fantastic development? The tunnel? If it was to provide a way for people to get to Camana Bay why didn’t they build a tasteful, wide, landscaped footbridge? Or do you mean C Bay is a fantastic development? It really isn’t, you know – it’s just a toy town. And we’re all the puppets who parade around up there looking at all the expensive items we (I, anyway) can’t afford and – luckily – don’t want or need.

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      • Anonymous says:

        It is better if the mere window shoppers weren’t clogging the place up.

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        • Anonymous says:

          You sound like the make believe shopper I say in the shoe store when they first opened, tried on about half a dozen pairs of shoes and walked out without buying a single pair. Would have been better if she had just window shop. The shop assistant was not happy at all.

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    • PD says:

      Yes my boss!

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