Summer’s End Marina Faces Hurdles Amid Calls for Further Community Input

A proposed marina by Summer’s End Group in Coral Bay, St. John, is facing attention from federal and local agencies due to legal challenges and environmental concerns, according to a Senate hearing Wednesday. Local families have also raised financial issues related to the land involved, legislators heard. The project aims to support St. John’s economy, but it must address these challenges before construction can begin.

At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture, chaired by Sen. Javan E. James Sr., concerns regarding the financial impact on local families, particularly those with land leases to Summer’s End, were highlighted. Due to ongoing delays, families such as the Marsh Sisters Trust and Calvert Marsh Inc. have continued to pay property taxes on land tied up in the project without receiving the expected rental income, according to the testimony.

Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory said the situation is “unconscionable,” as these families face increasing risk of foreclosure due to unpaid property taxes. “These are small families on the island of St. John. We did not know it was gonna take this long. If you wanted to truly partner with them, you would work with them and help to support what’s happening instead of now forcing them to sell their property off. It’s not good.”

Representatives from Summer’s End said they are committed to working with affected families and have been in discussions to resolve these financial issues. “The issues that have been raised about the family are very important to us,” said Chaliese Summers, managing member of Summer’s End. “We have constantly been in communication and working towards a settlement.”