The government of Puerto Rico views the 2004 closure of Naval Station Roosevelt Roads as a unique opportunity to maximize the assets of this facility, its lush natural environment and to promote its conservation in a manner that will drive a robust economic development in the region and to enhance Puerto Rico as a premier tourism, entertainment, commercial, services and recreational destination in the Caribbean.
The redevelopment of the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba is part of the economic development strategy of the government of Puerto Rico aimed at attracting private investments, creating jobs and spurring economic growth in the towns of Ceiba and Naguabo, the eastern region, including Vieques and Culebra, and Puerto Rico. This is one of Puerto Rico’s foremost economic development initiatives. This project is comprised of 8,720 acres of high economic, ecological, historical and cultural value.
The LRA prepared a ReUse Plan in 2004 upon naval station closure on March 2004 and an amendment to the Master Plan followed in April 2010 with the Addendum to the ReUse Plan. In August 2014, the LRA published the 2014 Development Zones Master Plan where development zones were reconfigured from 11 to 9. Subsequently, a new Land Use Plan was developed, which was approved by the Governor of Puerto Rico on August 28, 2014.
On January 26, 2012, the U. S. Navy transferred 1,370 acres of lands and facilities formerly used by the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads to the Roosevelt Roads Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA). Another 2,039 acres were transferred to the LRA on May 7, 2013, bringing the total acreage for redevelopment to 3,409. As of May 7, 2013, the LRA has control of these lands and facilities, and is able to execute redevelopment projects.
After a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) for Master Developer services process initiated in June 2014, which led the LRA Board on December 22, 2014 to select Clark Realty Capital as the proposed Master Developer for Roosevelt Roads, and the signing of an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) on February 2, 2015, the LRA and Clark concluded negotiations on August 31, 2015 without signing a Master Developer Agreement (MDA) and without the LRA extending the ENA. This process was awarded to Clark Realty Capital but was finalized without signing an MDA contract. Shortly thereafter, the LRA initiated direct negotiations with other proponents, which led to the signing by the LRA and Ariel Investment Management (Ariel) of an ENA for Master Developer Services on February 16, 2016. On May 18, 2016 the LRA Board of Directors decided not to continue exclusive negotiations with Ariel.
The LRA will continue its efforts to identify developers with the ability to advance the business objectives of the RR redevelopment project consistent with the Master Plan; and to continue to promote and develop specific projects within that context to create jobs and to spur economic growth in Ceiba and Naguabo, and the eastern region of Puerto Rico.
If you want more information about the project, go to Supporting Documents, click here. If you are interested in aspects about the RFQ-RFP Master Developer process, click here.
