Juliana: Mullet Bay masterplan must balance nature, recreation and development

GREAT BAY--The future of Mullet Bay will move into a more public phase on Wednesday, September 23, when Lyongo Architecture presents its approach and initial thinking for a new masterplan covering the approximately 67-hectare Mullet Bay area.

The architecture and urban design firm, led by architect Lyongo Juliana, was commissioned by SunResorts to develop the masterplan, which will examine the future of an area that includes Mullet Bay Beach, the golf course, Mullet Pond, residential areas, park spaces and undeveloped portions of the property.

Juliana said the public presentation should not be viewed as the unveiling of a completed development proposal. Instead, it forms part of an ongoing planning process in which the firm is studying the existing landscape, historical development, environmental systems, movement patterns and current use of Mullet Bay before determining what type and scale of future development may be appropriate.

The meeting will also provide residents and other stakeholders with an opportunity to share their views on the qualities they believe should be protected, the challenges affecting the area and what should guide its future.

Masterplan begins with understanding the site

Lyongo Architecture said its approach to urban planning begins with understanding how a place developed over time.

For Mullet Bay, that means examining historical maps, photographs and archival material alongside the site's present condition. The firm is also analyzing natural waterways, elevation, vegetation, biodiversity, wind, sunlight, views, pedestrian and vehicle movement, drainage and connections between Mullet Bay and surrounding areas.

Particular attention is being given to the relationship between future development and the existing landscape.

The company said this type of study helps determine where buildings, public spaces and routes could potentially be placed without unnecessarily disrupting natural systems and existing patterns of movement.

The planning exercise will also look closely at how people currently use Mullet Bay, including the routes residents take through the property, the spaces most frequently used and the areas people consider important to preserve.

Juliana said understanding those patterns is necessary if the final masterplan is to reflect more than the physical dimensions of the land.

Environmental importance

The masterplan process will also consider Mullet Bay's environmental features, including Mullet Pond and the surrounding coastal ecosystem.

Mullet Pond's mangroves and seagrass areas form part of a wider ecological system that supports marine life and contributes to coastal protection. The firm's studies will therefore examine how water systems, vegetation and natural areas can be incorporated into long-term planning for the property.

Mullet Bay itself has gone through several periods of change. The area remained comparatively undeveloped for much of St. Maarten's earlier history before becoming closely associated with the island's tourism development during the 20th century.

Hurricane Luis caused extensive damage to the Mullet Bay resort in 1995, leaving large portions of the property in a state of transition for more than three decades.

The new masterplan is intended to provide a framework for considering how that area could evolve over the long term.

Juliana: development must fit the character of Mullet Bay

Juliana has a personal connection to the area, having lived in St. Maarten and regularly visited Mullet Bay.

“I’m very excited to be working on the future of Mullet Bay over the coming months. When I lived on St Maarten, I love to visit the beach of Mullet Bay – and I still do 25 years later whenever I am visiting the island. I know many people feel a similar, strong connection to this place,” Juliana said.

He said St. Maarten's continued growth makes long-term planning increasingly important.

“A master plan can help provide a well-founded framework for deciding where development is appropriate, how it should relate to the landscape, and what scale of development fits the character of the area,” he said.

Juliana stressed that the assignment extends beyond determining where future construction might occur.

“For us, this project is about much more than future development. It’s about respecting the identity of this extraordinary place, protecting its natural and cultural qualities, and ensuring that Mullet Bay remains a place that future generations can continue to enjoy.”

Public concerns part of the process

The firm acknowledged that the future of Mullet Bay has generated concern within the community, particularly over continued public access and the possibility that commercial development could alter the character of one of the island's most heavily used recreational areas.

Lyongo Architecture said those concerns are among the issues the masterplan process is intended to examine rather than dismiss.

The firm's stated objective is to develop a framework in which nature, recreation and development can coexist while taking into account the long-term interests of St. Maarten.

Community engagement will therefore form part of the process as the masterplan develops.

Wednesday's meeting will include a presentation of the firm's vision, design methodology and preliminary observations, followed by an open discussion with members of the public.

Planning process to continue

Over the coming months, Lyongo Architecture will continue its historical, environmental and spatial studies while consulting specialists, authorities, stakeholders and community members.

Those studies will eventually be used to develop a proposed layout for the wider property based on the characteristics of the site, local context and applicable laws and regulations.

SunResorts will receive the completed studies and an overview of potential development options for Mullet Bay.

The company has previously said the masterplan process is intended to serve not only as a development framework, but also as a vehicle for planning, communication and public education.

For Juliana, Wednesday's presentation represents an early stage in that process, with the firm seeking community input before the masterplan takes its final shape.

‍