Nov. 6, 2006 — Bringing years of struggle to a successful conclusion, the V.I. government now owns Lindqvist Beach in an agreement signed by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull.
"The governor on Friday signed the agreement with the V.I. Investments to purchase the Lindqvist property," Sen. Louis Hill said Monday evening. "Today the Virgin Islands is the proud owner of the entire property, which the government has been trying to acquire for almost eight years."
Hill has fought for the government's acquisition for years, most recently as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
"I am proud to have played a critical role in the purchase of Lindqvist," he said. About a month ago, Hill said, he met for negotiations with Realtor April Newland; the owners, V.I. Investments; their attorney, Maria Tankenson Hodge; and Solicitor General Elliott McIver "Mac" Davis.
"At that time," Hill said, "the owners informed us they were prepared to do the sale, and we, essentially, negotiated a price and conditions. The government already had about $4.1 million available for the purchase. I appropriated $4.5 million from the General Fund, and the Public Finance Authority kicked in $300,000. I moved the appropriation through, and Mac Davis did all the necessary paperwork."
Davis could not be reached for comment Monday evening.
Newland could, however. Barely holding back her enthusiasm, she said, "The sellers wanted to sell and the buyers wanted to buy." When everyone finally came to the table several weeks ago, she said, the negotiation "took only about an hour and a half."
The property has been subjected to many permit hearings by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources' Coastal Zone Management Committee, and issues with local residents about beach access had to be addressed. Most recently, Judge Brenda Hollar created a legal obstacle when she ruled against the government's motion to condemn the property. A condemnation proceeding would have allowed the government to pay the owners the appraised value of the land and take the property by eminent domain. (For a brief history of the Lindqvist saga, see "Battle Continues for Lindqvist Beach.")
It has been suggested in several quarters that the Magens Bay Authority be tapped to manage the beach for the government.
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