TAUBCO BV invested more than ANG 6 million in building for SOAW
WILLEMSTAD - TAUBCO BV has an everlasting bond with Curaҫao for the last 90 years. The company has invested millions of florins in Curaҫao and believes in the island’s potential to grow in good times, and in challenging times. The recent declaration by Minister Larmonie and her decision to take SOAW outside Punda is a crushing blow for the city center. Punda will lose foot traffic of more than 100 government employees as well as the 500 people per day that visit SOAW. These people eat, drink and buy at the Punda establishments and in doing so maintain our city center vibrant. In Punda, clients of the SOAW have easy access to bus stations, post office and other services- which are all easy accessible for people who use public transportation.
TAUBCO BV finds it important to establish a correct time line of events. In March 2015 Minister Larmonie signed a Lease for 3 successive 3-year terms, with rent increasing every year, in the Tauber Building/La Ganga Building. Although the retrofit cost to TAUBCO BV was in excess of ANG 6 million, TAUBCO BV saw it as an opportunity to help the area of Punda and agreed to make the investment. Tauber was assured by Minister Larmonie that the government would remain in place throughout the nine years of the lease and therefore his investment would have time necessary to amortize the expense. The new lease contemplated a complete renovation of the building.
Renovations were all custom made in strict accordance with the specifications provided by Minister Larmonie. Desks, conference rooms, bathrooms, flooring, and more was all provided to meet her requirements. Additionally, a new A/C system was installed by OMNI to the highest standards in the industry. In fact, during the government’s tenancy TAUBCO BV had a third party laboratory perform air quality tests which determined the air to be clean and pure, thus disqualifying false claims that had been circulated by disgruntled employees.
Although the Ministry paid its rent late more than 68% of the time, TAUBCO BV continued his unwavering support of maintaining government offices in Punda. In August 2019, the Ministry contacted TAUBCO BV and insisted upon new windows and new bathrooms, to which TAUBCO BV immediately complied at his sole cost of more the ANG 500,000.
Though the lease has been in place for almost six years, TAUBCO BV has yet to realize any profit. He invested a tremendous amount of time, money and energy, yet all rent payments have gone to repay the bank and reinvest in the community; therefore, a significant portion of the renovation costs remain to be amortized.
TAUBCO BV certainly understands the financial difficulties facing the not only the government, but local and well as global people. He made many efforts to meet and discuss some temporary assistance in order to keep the SOAW office in Punda. However, for reasons still unknown, Larmonie refused to meet or discuss anything. Larmonie explains she is trying to cut Government expenses; however, her decision leaves the Punda economy in great jeopardy. In fact, it makes little sense as the relocation will cause great inconvenience due to limited direct bus transportation to Piscadera.
SOAW did offer a one-year option extension, however it included a three (3) month cancelation clause at any time which was commercially unreasonable to the Bank.
Mr. Tauber says that he remains open to discuss relief to the government of the beautiful island he loves and in its great future he believes. His messages remain ignored, but hope is in his heart for the government to remain and even grow to make Punda an important location for its offices. The Government needs to support Punda and its strong vibrant history to help keep our city center vibrant.