Welcome to our Belize Eco Village Bulletin 21 update. We are eager to connect with eco-friendly people who share our values, virtues, and visions. When you are inspired and interested in our Belize Eco Village (BEV) project for a healthy lifestyle and investment please contact us.
The goal of this blog is to share a long overdue progress report and share some exciting new information about new directions and next steps. During the crazy coronavirus conditions, we learned if we do not have the right person in place to oversee progress it is almost impossible to confidently move forward with our plans. Even with all my trips to Belize we experienced compound problems and spent more money because everything require boots-on-the-ground supervision. As someone who has experienced the highs and lows of construction problems and progress, it is time to find a project manager who can be on-site permanently. Who do you know?
My last trip to Belize was from February 25 to March 3, 2020, and we were busy with our Belize eco-village contractor checklist. We contracted to finish the water lines and the house water pump and well pump. We also delivered gifts to the caretaker family, hired a driver with a tractor and bush hog to mow, and showed our progress to some potential investors. Unfortunately, after returning from that trip the crazy coronavirus conditions took over, and due to restrictions and many other reasons, no additional trips occurred. Progress has significantly slowed down.
As the project stands now we have two Stabilized Compressed Earth Block houses with rain catch systems and septic systems. We have a water well with holding tanks, pipes, and pumps to supply clean well water. As I approach my 69th trip around the sun (birthday) and assist with some family issues it is time to find a new visionary to move the project forward. Who do you know?
Life Lessons Learned
Things can take three times as long and cost twice what you might estimate when doing business in Belize. The great news is now after a lot of hard knocks and life lessons learned we have made major progress and laid the foundation for future expansion and progress going forward. Finding the right property at the right price in the right location required a five-year investment of energy, money, and time. Then buying the property and receiving the title took another three years. To improve the roads, prepare the land, and install electricity took two years. Blueprints, construction, and permits required another two years to complete two houses with septic and water. Then COVID hindered progress for two years. Basic gardening and planting of coconut trees have continued.
Stabilized Compressed Earth Block (SCEB) Homes Are Fantastic
Our first two Stabilized Compressed Earth Block (SCEB) homes are completed and continue to wow visitors. We finished the well and submersible pump and installed the water lines to the 660-gallon holding tanks and hooked up the pressure pump and tank to the house. These earth block homes are amazing, look great, and turned out better than we thought. They stay significantly cooler than concrete block homes which is a major benefit in tropical Belize.
Stabilized Compressed Earth Block (SCEB) Home
Paths of Progress
The Hummingbird Highway major upgrade project has been progressing nicely and the new bridges and roadways are amazing. The new construction will cut at least 15 minutes off of the trip from Belmopan to Maya Centre Village and make things a lot safer for travelers. The new Coastal Highway project has been approved, funded, and is progressing well. The new bridges and roadways are progressing nicely and this route will cut over one hour off of the trip from the Belize City airport to the property. Once the Coastal Highway is complete we will no longer need to take the longer route going through Belmopan. All of the paths of progress and road improvements will help make our land and project even more appealing to visitors to Belize and our Belize Eco Village project. Now might be the perfect time to check out Belize and our Belize land for sale, investment, or trade.
Eco-Friendly Developer, Investor, Joint Venture Ready
After buying the 149-acre BEV property in February 2015 we are “shovel ready” for investor capital and collaboration. We completed the land search, acquisition, and title (phase 1). We moved forward with the electricity, two houses with septic systems, and the water well completed (phase 2). The BelizeInvest Executive Investment Summary (EIS) is available for review. We engaged Mark Stratman (In The Tropics) to help attract an experienced developer, hospitality manager, and investor (phase 3). It is time to find a developer dream team to lead us to the next phase: Land Plan, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and put a management team in place (phase 4). We are ready to attract an eco-friendly developer and joint venture partner so if you know someone now is a great time to introduce us.
Our adjoining 486-acre property to the south was purchased in Feb 2016 and the title has been issued by Belize Lands and Surveys Department. With the title in our possession, we are ready for an investor to step in with the vision, land plan, and timeline to make things happen. The combined 640-acre project and a drone video promotion are listed on the BelizeInvest – Beltraide Executive Investment Summary, so please review and share it.
Upcoming Projects
During COVID our caretaker did a fair amount of planting of coconut trees and food in the gardens. The caretaker has been planting coconut trees and a garden full of amazing food and herbal plants. The pictures of plantings include banana, mango, okra, pineapple, plantain, and soursop, We also contracted with a crew to reclear the entire property boundary line of the 149-acre property with a chainsaw and machetes. It is amazing how quickly the jungle and trees grow and want to reclaim the property. We have discussed contracting for an additional culvert and entrance off of the Southern highway to improve our development. We also will need to do some additional maintenance on our internal roads to the two houses and around the property. On my next trip to Belize, the plan is to buy furniture, pay land taxes, get some new projects identified, and upgrade the outdoor lighting. Then it will be time to deliver more computers to Maya Centre Village and enjoy some authentic delicious Maya cuisine
Future Potential Projects
We believe EcoShell 1 domes will provide an even more affordable, healthy, and sustainable home at a better price. Remember we appreciate your ideas to help attract interested investors. We had planned to build two EcoShell 1 dome homes and we contracted with an architect to start the blueprints to submit to the Central Building Authority for approval. Unfortunately, COVID occurred and we had to put our plans on hold. Once you have your permit you have a time limit to begin construction. We are hoping to regroup and figure out a new start date to begin the two dome homes after our next trip. We are still investigating the feasibility to dig two ponds to raise ducks and tilapia. Who do you know that might be a great team resource?
Next Steps
After some serious soul searching we made a difficult decision, listed our Belize land for sale or trade. We want to attract the right investor or joint venture partner to take the lead. BTW after ten years of being focused on Belize, the blood, sweat, and tears have taken a toll. After learning many powerful life lessons and after forming many personal contacts it is time for new people to climb on board. The project is now shovel-ready for the right team to take over and move the project forward faster. See the Beltraide Executive Investment Summary for more details regarding our Belize land for sale. We listed our Costa Rica land for sale also.
Passion and Purpose
The passion and purpose of Morningstar NEWS are to condense many hours of research down to two minutes of education, information, and inspiration for a healthy lifestyle and mindset. Having a Plan B and an international property is one the best thing we can do to stay happy and healthy. Our Belize Caribbean Property for Sale may be the perfect piece of paradise for you.
“Remember as fiat currencies, inflation, and run away government regulations rob you of your hard-earned money and quality of life, buying land is one of the best investments you can make. Our Belize land for sale offers a lifestyle that is affordable, productive, and sustainable in a tropical paradise. There is an abundance of clean air, food, soil, and water to help ensure you enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle.” —Michael Morningstar
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