Government’s property rental commitment stands at 17 million

GREAT BAY--Figures in the 2025 budget reflect a total annual commitment for rented properties by the government of Sint Maarten of Xcg 17,486,355.96. The three largest monthly obligations are the Government Building at Xcg 527,797.06, the Vineyard Building, Tax Office at Xcg 105,183.26, and the Vineyard Building, Social Health Center at Xcg 53,956.78.

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina in early October said that government will pivot from leasing offices to purchasing them, describing ownership as a strategy to build long term public assets. Speaking at the live Council of Ministers press briefing, he argued that money now used for rent should be redirected toward mortgages that create equity for St. Maarten.

He noted that rental spending is a significant burden on the budget, it consumes funds without leaving lasting value for the country. Moving to ownership, he said, would convert those recurring payments into property that strengthens the government balance sheet over time.

Mercelina added that he has begun reviewing requests for office space with a different starting point, departments are being asked to explore acquisition instead of a new lease. The intent is to guide agencies toward property purchases wherever feasible.

Main figures

• Monthly rent for seven ministries: Xcg 1,153,452.33
• Annual rent for seven ministries: Xcg 13,841,427.96
• Parliament and High Councils of State, per year: Xcg 2,260,719.00
  • Parliament and Griffie: Xcg 1,706,400.00
  • General Audit Chamber: Xcg 108,000.00
  • Ombudsman: Xcg 150,441.00
  • SER: Xcg 170,878.00
  • Raad van Advies: Xcg 125,000.00
• Additional Justice related offices, per year: Xcg 1,384,209.00
• Grand total annual office rental cost, ministries plus Parliament, High Councils, and special entities: Xcg 17,486,355.96

Highest monthly ministry rentals by location

• New Government Building, Soualiga Road 1, Pond Island: Xcg 527,797.06
• Vineyard Building, Tax Office, W. G. Buncam Road 33: Xcg 105,183.26
• Vineyard Building, Social Health Center, W. G. Buncam Road 33: Xcg 53,956.78
• Economics and Tourist Office, Front Street 28: Xcg 49,152.60
• Customs Building, E. C. Camile Richardson Street: Xcg 25,992.00
• Court of Guardianship, W. G. Buncam Road 33: Xcg 20,894.64
• JaiJo Commercial Building, Landrecherche, A. T. Illidge Road 56B: Xcg 18,900.00
• Immigration facilities, A. T. Illidge Road 8: Xcg 14,952.17
• Immigration ground floor, A. T. Illidge Road: Xcg 10,510.50
• Second floor, Minister of Justice, A. T. Illidge Road 6: Xcg 7,849.80
• Immigration, behind NAPA, A. T. Illidge Road 4: Xcg 4,777.51

Other noted locations and monthly rents

• Fish Market, Public Service Center, Airport Road 6: Xcg 12,740.00
• Juliette Building, Huurcommissie, Richardsonstraat 22: Xcg 16,200.00
• Electoral Council, Charles Vogesstraat: Xcg 4,500.00
• Hygienische Zaken en Inspectie, Vineyard: Xcg 20,020.00
• Dutch Quarter Community Helpdesk, A. T. Illidge Road: Xcg 3,600.00
• St. Peters Community Helpdesk, St. Peter’s Road 31: Xcg 1,800.00
• Cole Bay Community Helpdesk, Union Road: Xcg 4,500.00
• Civil Aviation, MET Office, Modesta Drive, Simpson Bay: Xcg 36,900.00
• UNESCO, Student Support Services, E. C. Camile Richardson 13: Xcg 18,000.00
• Archief Opslag, A. T. Illidge Road 4: Xcg 1,741.73
• Blue Lagoon Building, Archief, Waterfront Road 20: Xcg 15,664.00
• Deltouince Building, M. O. T., Back Street 65: Xcg 28,480.00