By The Star Staff
In a bipartisan effort to promote social and economic development in Ceiba, the New Progressive Party (NPP) minority leader in the island House of Representatives, Rep. Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez, and House Speaker Rafael “Tatito” Hernández Montañez filed a resolution on Tuesday to make viable the transfer of 74 acres (30 hectares) of land in the former Roosevelt Roads naval base to the municipality.
“Our north star is the socioeconomic development of Ceiba, a municipality that has tremendous potential due to its human resources and its natural attractions,” said Méndez Nuñez, who represents House District 36 (Río Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Vieques and Culebra). “To assist in that effort, we have filed Joint Resolution 484, which directs the Authority for the Redevelopment of the Lands and Facilities of the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, which is attached to the Department of Economic Development and Commerce, to cede in usufruct to the Municipality of Ceiba, for the nominal amount of one dollar, the [combined] parcel ‘Clean Parcel Two’ and ‘Los Machos Parcel Two’ to the Municipality of Ceiba for its development.”
“The Mayor of the Municipality of Ceiba, Samuel ‘Sammy’ Rivera, has shown interest in using this plot for the benefit of the residents of his municipality and eastern Puerto Rico, creating new recreation areas in order to attract visitors and establish municipal infrastructure that allows new opportunities for economic and social development in the region,” the former House speaker added.
In 2012, the federal government, through Public Deed No. 14 of Jan. 26, 2012, entitled “Deed of Ratification and Conversion to Public Instrument of Quitclaim Deed,” ceded to the government of Puerto Rico a 74-acre plot of land of the former naval base at Roosevelt Roads adjacent to the urban area of Ceiba and near Los Machos public beach, identified in the aforementioned deed as “Clean Parcel Two; Los Machos Parcel Two.”
The plot has direct access to the urban center of Ceiba and, in fact, is where “Gate 1” of the old naval station was located. Currently, in the Development Zones Master Plan of the aforementioned lands authority, its possible use is contemplated for the establishment of a welcome center, small food or service businesses, public or private offices and a fishing pier.