A bill giving land to the West End Development Corporation was passed by MPs yesterday, ahead of the planned development of a new South Basin Marina.

Derrick Burgess, the Minister of Works and Engineering, said the project — which also includes a low-cost housing initiative — is another important milestone in the revitalisation of the West End.

WEDCO has entered into a public-private partnership with Washington-based Clark International, LLC for the development, design, construction and financing of the South Basin Marina and Commercial Marine Facilities at Dockyard.

Mr. Burgess told the House of Assembly: "It is significant to note that when Clark International first approached WEDCO with the proposal for a new marina for mega yachts, WEDCO responded by suggesting that Clark construct affordable housing as a condition of the agreement.

"Happily, Clark was on board; a formal announcement about a new affordable housing initiative at Victoria Row, Ireland Island, will be made on Tuesday."

He went on to explain that the South Basin Marina will provide a minimum of 100 new boat slips as well as related amenities that support the marina and enable continued growth in Dockyard.

"This proposed development of the South Basin Marina will provide WEDCO with a new source of revenue, additional year round critical mass, tourism avenues and numerous employment opportunities for Bermudians," he said.

Commercial marine facilities are to be constructed on reclaimed land within the South Basin, with the Department of Marine and Ports Services relocating there from East Broadway.

"It will also allow for the relocation of West End Yachts to a new facility, resulting in operational efficiencies and expansion opportunities," added Mr. Burgess.

"The relocation of these two entities will enhance Dockyard as a community, leading to the growth of retail and entertainment enterprises, along with the provision of additional parking area to accommodate the increased vehicular activity in the area."

He said that a company, South Basin Development (SBD), has now been formed to push forward with the South Basin Marina and Commercial Marine Facilities projects, and is 100 percent owned by WEDCO.

Mr. Burgess said: "SBD has been organised and qualified to do business in Bermuda for the purpose of developing, designing, constructing, financing and operating these important initiatives.

"It is planned that the ownership of SBD will change to 60 percent WEDCO and 40 percent Clark before construction of the South Basin Marina and Commercial Marine Facilities begins. It is believed that the proposed organisational structure provides for a transparent, open book arrangement, one that clearly aligns the interests of these projects with the best interests of Bermuda."

Sixty-one acres of Government land, mainly seabed, off Ireland Island South, have been identified for the project.

It is the latest in a succession of efforts to rejuvenate Dockyard, following the opening of a new cruise ship wharf and terminal to enable larger post Panamax cruise ships to dock last May.

That project also encompassed the widening of Pender Road to improve traffic flow and public safety.

During yesterday's debate, the United Bermuda Party claimed the PLP was "putting the horse before the cart" by pressing forward with the legislation while a number of questions remain unanswered about the process

Shadow Works Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin and Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons said people need to understand why Clark was chosen for the project; Charlie Swan asked what process had been gone through to lead to the loss of 61 acres of water and questioned why super yachts would come to Bermuda instead of the US or Caribbean.

Dr. Gibbons added that west end residents needed to know more about environmental effects such as sewage, oil and petroleum from the boats.

UBP leader Kim Swan angrily called for the bill to be put on hold until more information was forthcoming.

"It's not good enough for the Government to come here and say everything's going to be all right, take my word for it," said Mr. Swan.

Energy Minister Michael Scott, the Sandys North MP, explained he had met representatives of Clark in Washington and had been impressed with their experience in military and residential construction; he said the group is well-known internationally.

He described the development as exciting and positive, and said the Dockyard pier project would in time pay itself back.

WEDCO chairman Walter Lister, the PLP MP for Sandys South Central, spoke about the improvements to Dockyard over the past two or three years.

He said: "We are trying to attract people to Bermuda and the Opposition have got their foot on the brake."

Health Minister Walter Roban described Mr. Swan's outburst as "histrionics", and said local government in St. George's should be more proactive trying to push its own ideas, instead of casting an envious eye at Dockyard.

Mr. Burgess concluded the debate by reminding the House that the legislation itself was intended to give land to Wedco.

"There's no taxpayers money that will go into this," he said.

"We need international investment. We should not be here saying we have got choices. We have done our due diligence. They know once they come to me and my Permanent Secretary we expect nothing less."