Microsoft founder Bill Gates announced today he intends to purchase a significant portion of Dauphin Island's West End and turn it into a private vacation resort for his family. Gates' plans are to construct a sprawling vacation getaway villa for himself and his wife, Melinda, on West End Dauphin Island properties cleared by hurricanes last year.
Katrina did most of the clearing off work for us already, saving us that cost, which we're passing along to the sellers. Plus we're offering more than FEMA. We've got lots of money to burn, so it's kind of a no-brainer.
Gates' plans also include a 45-foot high berm which will completely surround his property.
A 45-footer is more than twice as much protection as the experts say we need; but we want to be absolutely sure.
It won't look like a 45 foot berm from the inside, however.
We'll probably raise the entire compound 25 feet or so. We don't want to lose the view. We're still waiting for the architects and engineers to finish their study, but I don't think it will be a problem.
Experts close to the project estimate it will take approximately 3.4 million cubic yards of sand to raise his tract of land 25 feet, at a cost of nearly $22 million.
The Town of Dauphin Island and the Dauphin Island Property Owners' Association are falling all over themselves welcoming Dauphin Island's newest owners. It's estimated the property taxes alone on Mr. and Mrs. Gates' villa will be more than enough to pay for a berm for the rest of the island.
When asked whether they intended to contribute to the Dauphin Island berm fund, Mr. Gates replied that it sounded like a decent enough idea and that once he and his wife were property owners he'd certainly consider it.
Happy April 1st - All fools day.