Jan. 26, 2002 — The rezoning needed for a massive casino-hotel project on St. Croix’s south shore received general support from the senators present at a Committee of the Whole meeting Friday night on the Big Island.
The hearing was held to spur the Senate to act on the rezoning for Connecticut-based Robin Bay Associates’ $500-million project.
Development of the 300-room, 20,000-square-foot Seven Hills Casino and Resort could begin in about a year if a zoning change for 615 acres just east of Great Pond Bay is approved. The first phase of construction, which includes the the initial 300-room hotel, casino and golf course, could be completed in about two years, said Curtis Robinson, majority partner in Robin Bay Associates. Later phases include nearly 400 more rooms in an eco-lodge spa facility and a beachfront hotel.
Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd said the rezoning request — from R-1 low-density residential to R-3 medium-density — will likely be heard by the full Senate when it meets Wednesday on St. Thomas. Liburd said there is almost unanimous support for the project in the Senate.
Robinson told senators that about 1,000 construction jobs would be created once the project begins. Another 2,500 employees would be needed to staff the facilities completed in the first phase, he said.
In December, the V.I. Casino Control Commission granted Robinson and his company a 24-month provisional license requiring the developers to report to the commission every six months on the venture’s ongoing financial viability, permitting status, or any major changes to the business plan.
The approval was granted after the Division of Gaming Enforcement conducted a background investigation into Robinson and his partners.
Robinson, a Connecticut-based real estate developer, has a background in casinos, including the highly successful Foxwood Resort and Casino in Connecticut.
In addition to Robin Bay Associates' proposal, St. Croix’s south shore could see yet another casino-hotel development in the near future. In October, the Casino Commission reserved one of the two allowed "Casino II" licenses for Golden Gaming Inc. of New Jersey. Paul Golden has purchased some 265 acres, also near Great Pond Bay, for a 400-room hotel-casino project, which also includes an 18-hole golf course.
Robin Bay Associates is the other Casino II applicant.
The Casino Control Act allows for six casinos altogether on St. Croix. The two Casino II facilities must have 300 to 1,400 rooms and a 10,000-square-foot casino.
The Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino, which opened in March 2000 on the south shore, currently employs about 325 people.