Good info is hard to come by but it looks like Rincon, PR will be getting a 7 story hotel near the harbor, complete with casino. The fix is in, politicians paid off, and resistance appears futile. Anywhere from 200-400 (estimated) people showed up last week to voice disapproval and were summarily shot down by "Bluewater" reps, 2 young, pretty women, probably lawyers. Slick. Where the water will come from is another story; we're in a drought now and water is shut off periodically in town. And where the black water will go is anybody's guess. It doesn't bother me, so don't bother with a boo-hoo, suck it up, man. I live a ways out of town so won't notice a thing. But little by little and by leaps and bounds, Rincon is/has changed and will be another of those places "loved to death", a paradise lost. In other hearsay news, this reporter has heard that surfline has purchased swell info and magic seaweed. No confirmation on that yet.
Hey Tropic surfer thanks for info on hotel. I knew that was coming as a friend of mine owns a hotel in Rincon. What I will tell you, the "paradise lost" was so since 1968 world contest. But then again, I surfed there first time about 1962 (I am 68). Different perspective via time..... thanks again.
BTW, this is PR we are talking about. That means it will take them 5 years to build, unless they bring in an American company.
I am under the impression it got shut down. This hotel may be the one they were planning on building in Wildo. My impression is that this hotel will be empty and closed within 5 years after opening. Ricans have no money to gamble; East coasters need not travel that far to gamble. It will eventually be a low-income housing......
That whole area is saved, thankfully. See link https://www.savethewaves.org/programs/world-surfing-reserves/reserves/puntaborinquen/
Don't know yet. And I think this is an American company...not enough details yet, tho. And Barry, think you've nailed the outcome of this "project"! The hotel built near the edge of the plaza is dead, built on unstable ground and must be torn down.
Thinking about that a bit, it might not be so. As what was left of a middle class here is pretty much gone, what is left are those on the bottom rung and those at the top, and they're driving new cars and spending money, and I think a casino might do well, for a while at least. Then, hopefully, bankrupt. Just an opinion. It's gonna suck, though.
Well, you could be right. I no longer live there so I am no longer close to the action/events. Keep us informed please. As PR is my childhood stomping grounds (was there the first 18yrs of my life), I am always glad to hear news. Thanks
OK, talked to someone who knows more today and he said this is not a done deal yet. They have a lot of hurdles to get thru and they know that a hotel by itself will not be profitable. There are a lot of infrastructure issues and environmental issues to deal with and at this point it looks like if it is built at all it most likely will not be a 7 story mega hotel, and much smaller than originally planned. There is a creek under the area that is going to be an issue among other things. And a lot of people/groups fighting it. Rincon of the Seas was denied a casino when built so there is a precedent. Will update when I get more info.
I would have thought a casino would locate to Rincon of the Seas, but then again, they may not have the political capital to pull that off. Are there one or two casinos in Mayaguez? And how about Ramey AFB/Aguadilla?
