2. The aforementioned plan is part of the strategy defined by thesub-concessionaire to create and develop in the area of the landfill between Taipa and Coloane islands (COTAI) an integrated entertainment center, gaming and business tourism, urbanistically articulated and with quality, capable of competing with future investments of the same kind in other countries or regions in Southeast Asia, as well as attracting potential investors to the services sector and generate sufficient critical mass in providing hotel accommodation.
3. Following that plan, the said company requested, on 11 August 2005, the grant by lease and without public tender, of lots 5, 6 and Tropical Garden, for a phased development with the construction of hotels, casinos, shopping areas, entertainment areas, conventions center, parking and garden areas (non ædificandi areas), with conditioned and/or limited public access, attaching to that effect a preliminary study of the project.
4. This preliminary study has been examined by DSSOPT and the Office for Infrastructure Development (GDI), the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), which took, generally, a favorable position, making some observations and recommendations on technical aspects relating to the land boundaries, infrastructure, accessibility, altimetry quota and conditions for the safety of air navigation.
5. In the light of these technical opinions, DSSOPT informed the applicant that the [preliminary] study had conditions to become viable. Therefore, the applicant submitted, on 31 March 2006, an architectural draft, which introduced some modifications to the preliminary study in relation with global gross construction areas, adding the apartment-hotel purpose, which was deemed approvable, subject to the opinions that would be issued by the competent government authorities, in accordance with the order of the director of DSSOPT dated 17 May 2006.
6. Furthermore, it was deemed approvable with conditions, by order of the acting director of the said Bureau, dated 11 August 2006, the architectural project submitted on 22 June 2006.
7. Following the aforesaid order, Venetian Macau Limited submitted on 20 November 2006 an updated version of the architectural project that was also deemed approvable, subject to the fulfillment of the opinions issued by the MGTO and the Fire Department (FD) by order of the director of DSSOPT dated 7 March 2007.
8. Meanwhile, licenses for polling, excavation and leveling, soil consolidation, solid foundation and bottom slab, and foundations works have been issued.
9. With regard to the concession’s procedures, a preliminary draft of the contract was drawn up, but had nofollow-up since the submission of a new architectural project was being awaited.
10. Indeed, on 19 September 2007 the referred company submitted to DSSOPT another alteration architectural project which introduced significant changes in the gross construction areas of the intended uses.
11. After obtaining the technical opinions of the competent authorities, the project was then deemed approvable, subject to compliance with technical requirements, by order of the director of DSSOPT dated 22 July 2009.