USVI Family Battles Developer Over Coral Bay
A family in the US Virgin Islands is embroiled in a legal struggle against the Summer's End Group over a disputed land lease for a marina development in Coral Bay. Jacquelyn Clendenin, representing the Marsh Sister Trust, claims the family is being pressured into selling their property amid a complex battle involving failed lease payments, dementia, and alleged bullying tactics.
In a recent revelation that has caught the attention of both the local community and lawmakers, a family in the US Virgin Islands has come forward with claims of being pressured to sell their property to the Summer's End Group, a developer planning to construct a marina in Coral Bay.
Jacquelyn Clendenin, speaking on behalf of the Marsh Sister Trust, detailed the family's ongoing dispute during a legislative session discussing Bill 36-0145, which ultimately saw the denial of a permit extension for the controversial marina project. According to Clendenin, the agreement with the Summer's End Group, initiated in 2013 based on a lease, has soured due to a series of unsettling events starting in 2016.
She alleges that her mother, suffering from dementia, was taken to sign additional documents amending the lease without proper authority or legal representation. These amendments included a clause that exempted the developer from any past and future lease payments until the commencement of construction, essentially leaving the family without the agreed-upon annual income of $65,000 since the project's permit delays have halted any progress.
The family's attempts to void the lease and reclaim their property have led to a costly legal battle, with expenses surpassing $100,000, according to Clendenin. Despite their efforts, the developer maintains that the lease is valid, arguing that negotiations have been conducted in good faith and even offering to purchase the land at a value purportedly above market rate.
The dispute has garnered attention from USVI senators, with mixed reactions on how to proceed. While some express support for the family's plight, others caution against legislative interference in what is essentially a legal matter between private parties. Nonetheless, the situation highlights the broader controversies surrounding the proposed marina project, which has faced significant public opposition and regulatory hurdles.
For residents of the British Virgin Islands, this case serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding land ownership, development pressures, and the importance of legal representation, especially in deals involving vulnerable parties. As the Marsh family continues their fight to protect their generational land, the broader Caribbean community watches closely, aware of the potential implications for similar disputes in the region.
Primary source: VINO