Courtesy of: The Morning News
By: Rosalie Klein
SAN NICOLAS — A number of island dignitaries attended the official groundbreaking for a new condominium project for Aruba, unusual in its choice of location, on a cliff overlooking Rodger’s Beach, within the former Lago colony.
The site for the 30-unit Serena Residence, a long-time dream of islander Glenn Briesen, whose father had owned the popular little cafe that resided there for decades, has a stunning view of the bay. The pristine white sands of Rodger’s Beach, named for the gentleman who scouted Aruba as a location for the transshipment station that would eventually become the Lago Refinery, is one of the island’s most attractive and unappreciated beaches.
Mr. Briesen’s partner in the project, Juan Carlos Henriquez, better known as J.C., was on hand to welcome Minister of Economic Affairs, Communications, Energy and Environment, Mike de Meza, who affirmed his enthusiastic belief in controlled development of the untapped resources of San Nicolas and its beautiful surrounding coastlines. Plans for the facility encompass five small buildings of six condominiums each, spread along the cliff face, and a small swimming pool and deck.
Affirming his support for the facility and the positive precedent set by Serena Residence were also Minister of Social Affairs, Youth Policy and Labor, Paul Croes.
He cited the various economic advantages for spin off commerce resulting from the development, including construction jobs, service work, and how this, and similar projects, will encourage attractive restaurants, shops and nightspots for San Nicolas.
Some concerns by individuals residing in the Lago Colony, such as Rodger’s Beach being closed off to the public, were laid to rest by Mr. Henriquez and government officials. They cited island laws that all beaches are public. The site of the condominiums are on the cliff side, not directly on the beach, like many of the existing houses, and owners at Serena Residence can access the beach via an existing stairway that will be repaired. It is also the plan of the developers to repair the three piers extending from the beach front, which are in a sorry state.
Normal auto access via the turn off to Baby Beach by Jad’s dive shop will be untouched and unfettered. The Rodger’s Beach side of the east end of Aruba is also the site of a dock used by many local fishermen, which will not be affected by the current construction.
