Dear Mr. Cedeno-Maldonado,
They were everywhere last January during our vacation on St. John, it seemed, those simple black-and-white bumper stickers with their quiet urgency in three words: Save Coral Bay.
Save Coral Bay?! What did this mean? What was happening to this place we looked forward to coming to year after year? Was there some invasive species that was threatening the bay? Was there the potential for a disaster, the result of which would be a permanent alteration or loss of this serene historic, bio-diverse area? As it turns out, the answer to both questions is “yes”, and the name of that menace is the short-sighted development of a mega-marina by outsiders for their own financial gain at the expense of this place and its people.
During our stay on St. John, I gained more insight into the issues, visiting websites and collecting information so I could lend my voice to those who are opposed to the plans for this mega-marina in Coral Bay. And while I could reiterate the enormous environmental, socio-economic, cultural, historical, and recreational issues as well as those dealing with the appropriateness of the site selection, built environment, and infrastructure concerns so well-documented by others, I felt it would be more powerful to use my own words – the words of a tourist who has visited this place numerous times and loves it for everything it is and represents. It is an oasis from the over-built, commercialized, insensitive developments that rob a place of its true character by destroying it and altering the lives of those who live and work here. This is their home and their culture and their land, sea, and sky, first and foremost. It does not belong to developers who will rape this place for their own financial gains without benefit to the residents or concern for the future.
This issue is also about loss of integrity. This location, this setting, its design, its feeling, and all of its associations have been disregarded from what I can see in the developers’ plans. There is nothing about the mega-marina’s use or design that respects the integrity of Coral Bay, the main settlement of St. John until the mid-twentieth century.
Residents, tourists, history/nature/culture lovers, and environmental rationalists do not need a mega-marina in this place on this island of all islands which was recognized as such a natural treasure it is home to one of the United States rarified few National Parks. What a gift this island is to all of us. Let it remain so for future generations and as an example of protecting that which is truly important.
If there was any way to be a part of a public hearing, I would be, but unfortunately, this letter is my only voice. Do no harm. Take the time to weigh the full impact of what will be lost against temporary gains for a few. Look at the long term and keep this place as it is. Take the time to apply broad thoughtfulness because there is no way to undo this poorly considered course of action.
I leave you with this quotation found in Pam Gaffin’s book St John: “No other island in the Caribbean has expended so much money, time, talent, careful thought, and hard labor to ward off the corrosive influence of modern man.”[1]
Do not let us lose St. John’s Coral Bay and all that it represents on your watch.
Yours very truly,
Janet L. Steidl, IIDA, IDEC
Historic Preservationist, Designer, and Educator
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- Gaffin, Pam, St. John: Feet, Fins, and Four Wheel Drive, A Complete Guide to All of the Island’s Beaches, Trails and Roads, St. John, USVI: American Paradise Publishing, 2009, 7.