By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
TRANSPORT and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday insisted the proposed $3.1m Potter’s Cay Dock redevelopment initiative would “only look to refocus the nature of activities” presently carried out at the historic site.
Those comments came a day after Ministry of Transport and Aviation officials held a town meeting to hear concerns about the project.
“The work that we are doing will address concerns raised in an ideal way,” Mrs Hanna Martin said. “We will correct issues with parking, with lighting – these elements are in some way addressed in what we presented last evening.
“The goal here is to not wipe the board clean, no, we want to improve on what already exists at Potter’s Cay dock. We want to re-establish those elements out there and represent the concept of what the site can be.”
Mrs Hanna Martin said officials are working to support the existing elements of Potter’s Cay Dock, such as the food stalls and fish market.
“There are the stalls that have to stay, they are the reason persons flock to the area and have been for decades. Then you have the produce market, persons come there for their fruits and vegetables; so is the same with the fish market – all serving their purpose.”
“We are working to support these elements, but repurpose the space in a way that they all have that area to work without limiting the capabilities of the others.”
In March, Mrs Hanna Martin announced the government’s multi-million dollar plan to redevelop Potter’s Cay Dock into an area that could be described as “clean, environmentally friendly and conducive to business for the public”.
Meanwhile, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, who also attended Monday’s town meeting, said he was very impressed with the dialogue held over the matter.
Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Lightbourn suggested that persons are glad to see improvements being carried out at the site, which was established in the 1700s to protect the harbour.
“It is something that was needed, it’s hard to run from that fact. The plans presented last night did leave out some details as far as pricing and steps in the designs but we know that the final product is written in stone.”
“My concerns are the concerns raised last night. I want clarity on the security, parking, lighting and amenities, we all do. So in that regard I just ask that the ministry responsible continues to bear that in mind.”
The Potter’s Cay redevelopment is a joint effort between the Ministries of Works, Agriculture and Transport and Aviation.
The three phased redevelopment plan called for the removal and relocation of trees on the southern foreshore to create a parking area, which would extend eastward to Williams Street, the extension of the Fish and Farm store by 150 feet to accommodate mailboat services and a new bathroom area with a security presence.
Phase two is expected to see the development of security checkpoints at the entrance and exit of the entire facility, kerbs erected around the perimeter of the dock as a safety measure to prevent potential accidents.
In the third phase of the 16-month project the dock’s main entrance and exit is expected to be widened, and additional signage, drainage wells and landscaping will be installed.
Mrs Hanna Martin maintained on Tuesday that the project remains on schedule.
Comments
asiseeit 8 years, 3 months ago
What about the sunken boats on the north side of Potters Cay that are spewing oil into our waters? Never mind they are an eyesore and neatly sum up the lack of environmental over site by our government, they have been sunk there for years. How mush dock rent is lost due to these sunken boats? How much oil have they leaked. Why have they been left to rot and become that much harder to remove. They should be the mascots for nasty Potters Cay. Two rusty, derelict sunken boats about sum up the ambiance of Potters Cay. Add some rotten conch, nasty drunk locals, and plastic bags/foam containers in the harbour as a bonus and boy the tourist should come running.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 3 months ago
Please wipe it clean and start over. Potter's Cay dock is a giant cesspit, I don't know how anyone buys food from there, sits down to eat there or drives a tourist there as a local "attraction". Every single one of those stalls needs to be bulldozed. The budgeting should compensate each owner equitably for the time taken to rebuild their stall.
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