Partial demolition of flamboyant hotel in Cap-Haïtien diversion canal begins after official warning

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Management of Hotel Le Flambeau has begun demolishing part of its structure, located less than three meters from the Canal of Vertières, in Cap-Haïtien, following a seven-day ultimatum issued by city officials.

During a February 7 visit to the site, Departmental Delegate Marc Présumé ordered the hotel and other property owners to remove structures built too close to or over the canal. This canal is a key flood-control waterway that runs from the hilly community of Des Charriers down to Vertières.

The canal is designed to divert water and prevent flooding. But residents say construction along its banks has obstructed its flow, contributing to frequent flooding in Vertières during heavy rains — sometimes leaving residents unable to leave their homes. Buildings erected within a few meters of the canal are also vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season.

While residents in Des Charriers still use sections of the canal for bathing and washing, the water below in Vertières is heavily polluted and unusable.

Hotel Le Flambeau’s management agreed with The Haitian Times to comment for this story, but had not made a representative available by publication time.

A revived demolition effort

Présumé’s order follows a similar notice issued by City Hall authorities in January 2024, when property owners were given seven days to remove structures built less than three feet from the canal. The order was never enforced.

At least 10 structures in Vertières and Des Charriers are on the current demolition list, including homes, small businesses, a lottery shop, the Shalom School — a private preschool through high school — and Hotel Le Flambeau.

The northern delegate’s latest action comes about a month after he oversaw the demolition of 17 structures built within five meters of the sidewalk along The Boulevard on Jan. 9. Plux Hotel, owned by Eddy Salomon, was the first building torn down, fueling speculation that the crackdown stemmed from a personal dispute — an allegation officials have not addressed.

Présumé, who took office in March 2025, has drawn both praise and controversy for enforcing regulations that previous administrations left untouched.

However, he has yet to return to Vertières following the Feb. 14 deadline. Rumors circulated that he fell ill on Feb. 10 and was hospitalized, but he did not respond to requests for comment from The Haitian Times regarding his health or the demolition plans.

After clearing The Boulevard road’s sidewalk, Présumé ordered trucks not to park along the roadway and announced plans to install public seating where structures once stood. Trucks, however, continue to park there, and the seating has not yet been installed.

Residents voice support — and concerns

Many Vertières residents back the demolition effort, saying it is necessary to reduce flooding.

“Someone needs to say no to people building anywhere they find space — that’s what Présumé is doing,” said Sandley Calixte, 40. “We need leaders who are not afraid to make certain decisions.”

Rony Israël, 36, who operates a tricycle repair shop near the canal and is unsure whether his structure will be affected, also supports the initiative.

“The work is necessary,” Israël said. “When the canal flows properly, we won’t have trouble when it rains.”

Still, residents say clearing buildings alone will not solve the problem. The canal is clogged with plastic bottles, food containers and other waste. What was once clear irrigation water in the 1990s is now dark brown.

Peterson Forges, 30, supports the demolitions but urges broader action.

“They need to deal with the sand buildup in the canal,” he said. “And people need somewhere to throw away their trash. The garbage problem is severe. Truck drivers need to start coming.”

As of publication, it remains unclear whether Présumé will return to enforce additional demolitions along the Canal of Vertières.

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