Hibiscus Beach Hotel Expansion Faces Community Pushback in St. Croix

ST. CROIX — A proposed expansion and renovation of the Hibiscus Beach Hotel in LaGrande Princesse, which was destroyed by Hurricane Maria, was challenged by neighboring property owners, who were concerned that the project would exacerbate pre-existing problems with flooding.

On Thursday, the St. Croix Committee of the Coastal Zone Management Commission met to discuss an application from the developers of the hotel for phase three of the project, which would add 62 rooms as well as a new bar, gymnasium, restaurant and pool on the property, expand the green space footprint, and replenish the beachfront, among other works.

Also in the plans are to install underground storm drains and create retention pools and underground stormwater storage, ostensibly to improve drainage in the area. Developers say public beach access will be enhanced with a dedicated parking area.

Despite relocating the already-existing public beach access route to the west edge of the property, “it won’t be controlled,” reassured Clarence Browne, the architect on the project. “There’ll be no gate across it, the public could access that beach at any time.” He also spoke of measures being put in place to protect nesting turtles in the area.