The new developer of the former Club Med resort in St. George's was nowhere to be seen as the Deputy Premier . Ewart Brown visited the hotel site to announce the latest chapter in efforts to have it redeveloped.

For most the of the past 20 years the hotel overlooking St. George's has lain empty. Now it is to be brought back to life, most likely by being bull-dozed and rebuilt as a five-star hotel for an as yet unnamed hotel operator.

And a testing 'signature' golf course is also on the cards to give the new hotel an extra hook for attracting visitors to the East End.

But the news unveiled by Tourism Minister Dr. Brown has been tempered by concerns about exactly what is going on regarding the hotel's future.

Why was a $220 million plan for a Four Seasons Hotel dropped after two years of talks last December?

Dr. Brown refused to be drawn into any discussion on past negotiations. He wanted only to talk about the future and the new developer, Connecticut-based KJA Development Inc.

As revealed by one of the key members of the development team is Jack Avedikian, who is believed to have been on the Island during the past few days. A golf course designer has also been taking a look at the potential for creating a "must-play" course at the hotel, said Dr. Brown.

But who is KJA Development Inc and does it have the resources and backing to carry off such a huge project?

Mr. Avedikian did not appear at the Press conference arranged in front of the hotel by Dr. Brown.

Asked about the pedigree of the new developer, Dr. Brown said: "He has had sufficient experience to impress us and his bank that he can do the project.

"This developer is involved in two other projects, one in northern California and the other in St. Lucia ? hotel projects."

Former St. George's Mayor E. Michael Jones has been appointed as the public face of KJA Development Inc on the Island.

He said KJA had been familiar with the project for some time, adding: "KJA's technical team has been hard at work conceptualising the best possible uses for the site and it is intended to provide for the Government's early review some hard drawings of what is proposed."

He said the hotel envisaged would have 160 rooms "with all the amenities that a five-star resort demands".

Mr. Jones added: "We envisage a resort experience that capitalises on the golf product. As Dr. Brown mentioned there have been discussion with a renowned golf course designer on the remediation of the course and KJA is prepared to commit the resources required to make this course a signature course for Bermuda."

A preliminary investigation by to find out more about KJA has so far drawn a blank. A real estate developer called Jack Avedikian was involved in two bankruptcy cases in California in 1997 and 2000, both of which have since been closed or dismissed. It is not clear if this Mr. Avedikian is the same as the one now linked to the new development project.

Shadow tourism Minister David Dodwell, said he was dismayed that the former front runner developer the St. George's Renaissance Group, led by Canada-based Quorum, had been replaced after a deal had seemed so close to being completed last year. He said: "The people of St. George's are now going to have to put up with several more years of having no plan.

"There was no plan released today about the development and at this time an unknown player. St. George's and Bermuda have lost more time."

He said: "In my view, and from everyone I have spoken to, they loved the Quorum project it tied hotel with the cultural side, the World Heritage Site, even sewage treatment plant ? they had worked everything out, and they are gone.

"It worries me that this sends a message to developers overseas about what happens in Bermuda and people don't know what happened, all they know is that one developer has gone after several years of work and a lot of money spent, replaced by one that for now is unknown."

He added: "I won't cast any aspersions on the KJA but it would be nice to know what the plans are and what the background of the developers is. My question to the Government in general, as landlord, is that I assume due diligence has been done on KJA and Mr. Avedikian? Bermuda deserves no less that that."

Mr. Dodwell said he believed the Four Seasons Hotel group was not involved with KJA but had tied itself to the Quorum group. St. George's Foundation chairman Henry Hayward said: "I'm disappointed that the Renaissance Group was not carried through because it had a number of positive things for St. George's, such as putting people in the town and providing a theatre. "It is too early to comment on the new developer, but I have not heard of this gentleman (Mr. Avedikian) or the company."

As he revealed the news of the new developer for the hotel site, Dr. Brown said: "For so long this location has symbolised the stalled nature of our tourism. It is only fitting that we seek to remove the stigma associated with this site and to begin the transformation of it from a place of quiet decay to one of vibrant activity. "KJA Development Inc. is a well established company based in Connecticut who has demonstrated an ability to pull together an exciting blend of professionals."

He added: "A page has been turned in this site's story and I am confident that we will see much needed action on this development and that the town of St. George's will reap immense benefits." Dr. Brown could not say when development of the site might commence or when plans would be finalised.

Addressing the issue of homeless people who have taken up residence on a building at the Club Med site, Housing Minister Sen. David Burch said they would be removed and said those that registered with the BHC would have their situation assessed.

Opposition Senator E.T. (Bob) Richards said Bermuda really needed to have its tourist industry revived and re-developed but was desperately short on overseas redevelopment capital.

"Billions of dollars are being spent in the Caribbean, building hotels and resorts. Where is the money for Bermuda?" he asked.