National

Grand Lucayan Failed Sale, Bazaar Fires

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – From the failed sale of the Grand Lucayan hotel, to devastating fires that ravaged the International Bazaar, Grand Bahama has had its fair share of disappointments in 2022.

Published

1 year ago

December 31, 2022

Italia Hall

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – From the failed sale of the Grand Lucayan hotel, to devastating fires that ravaged the International Bazaar, Grand Bahama has had its fair share of disappointments in 2022.

One of the biggest upsets was the collapse of the sale of the Grand Lucayan Resort.

It all seemed to be going well in May after government accepted Electra America Hospitality Group’s offer to purchase the hotel for $100 million.

But that did not last for long. After several delays in the negotiation process, it was announced in early November that the deal had failed.

The news disappointing many business owners and residents, who were hoping for the best.

The redevelopment of Grand Bahama International Airport has also remained stagnant.

Hurricane Dorian destroyed the old airport terminal forcing officials to move the airport operations to a much smaller facility.

Many, like attorney and former board member of Lucyan Renewal Holdings Carey Leonard feel the airport is a key puzzle piece for the sale of the Grand Lucyan Resort.

Most recently, officials have said they are in the final stages of selecting a provider for the redevelopment of the airport. But that’s just about all they’ve said.

While getting two major projects off the ground was a focus for many, portions of an iconic and once thriving shopping mecca was burned to the ground.

The August fire was third at the deteriorating International Bazaar since November 2021 when a massive fire gutted the marketplace.

That incident was followed just weeks later by another fire in December 2021.

The fire this year, prompted calls from the Grand Bahama Port Authority to demolished what is left of the dilapidated structures within the Bazaar, which has been on the decline since 2004 when two hurricanes ravaged Grand Bahama.

The cause of the repeated fires at the International Bazaar still remains a mystery.

While Grand Bahama continues to have challenges, some are still keeping the hope alive.