By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
Downtown Nassau is losing 50 per cent of its revenue-generating potential because it is a “ghost town” in the evenings, a local Bahamian entrepreneur is arguing.
Alanna Rodgers, founder of Tru Bahamian Food Tours and a panelist on ‘Sustainable Nassau’ at the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) 2016 Board of Governors meeting, said that while there were businesses who wanted to contribute to Bay Street’s redevelopment, there are no clear channels for them to do so.
“We have to acknowledge that if we don’t have a downtown open in the evenings, then 50 per cent of the potential is lost,” she said. “The sense I get as a business owner is there is a lot of desire to make a contribution, but not a clear avenue of how to do that.
“My suggestion is that there needs to be a clear distinction around the ownership of assets in the downtown area because it has a lot of public purpose, but a lot of private ownership. There are not very clear channels right now, even if you want to make a difference. Getting clarity on what you can and can’t do is important.”
Ms Rodgers said Bay Street and the surrounding city of Nassau area needs basic infrastructure development. “So many spaces downtown are either dilapidated, or in good shape and not being used,” she explained.
“One thing I think we could immediately do is designate several spaces as co-working collaborative spaces for young entrepreneurs to spend, say $200 a month, get free Wi-fi, coffee and a safe space to work that can be open until 12am per night. The ultimate goal is to have a space where people are working and living together.”
Dr Ian Bethell-Bennett, dean of the liberal and fine arts faculty at the College of the Bahamas (COB), which houses the Urban Lab that worked on the Sustainable Nassau project, stressed that youth inclusion was necessary to bring the city together.
“We have to get young people involved. Without the young people there is no future. We have to show them that we value what they say, that we value their lives and want their participation,” said Dr Bethell-Bennnett.
Ellis Juan, general co-ordinator the IDB’s Emerging and Sustainable Cities Initiative (ESCI), said Nassau was a city that offers rich history, culture and natural environment for both residents and tourists .
“These assets need to be protected if Nassau is to remain a prime tourist destination,” said Mr Juan. He added that preliminary agenda to achieve a sustainable Nassau proposes that the city be reconnected with its neighbourhoods through accessible modes of transportation for all.
“We envision sustainable public transportation through the reorganisation of the local bus routes and the extension of the service hours,” he said. “Buses will be more reliable and efficient. People should not depend exclusively on cars.”
Mr Juan continued: “Nassau’s clear blue waters are disconnected from the people and downtown. The city has an opportunity to open up to the sea by incorporating its coast into the city development. Imagine a five kilometre waterfront space for pedestrians stretching from down town to Potter’s Cay, a downtown lighted and open 24/7.
“For downtown we envision a new stock of affordable housing increasing density, maybe two or three-floor condos for both families and young professionals interested in an urban, car free lifestyle.”
Mr Juan said downtown Nassau becomes a ‘ghost town’ after sunset, and several things could be done to change this.
The solutions included improved security and lighting, the creation of incentives to expand the commerce hours, improving public transportation and night activities.
Comments
John 8 years ago
Bay Street died a slow and painful death, like many other town centers around the world. But in the case of Bay Street it may have been deliberate and unnecessary. As tourism evolved from hotels being just bed and baths to all inclusive, activity filled resorts and cruise ships became more bigger and more filled with activities to keep passengers on board, and the shopping malls catered to the shopping needs of local Bahamians,the importance of Bay Street dwindled and it eventually became easier for many merchants and property owners to turn the key and lock the door, rather than fight for survival. The crime culture did not make the problem any better as many Bahamians do not find themselves out of their homes after dark unless there is an emergency or unless it is to attend a specific event. So how do you revive the City of Nassau and bring it back to life? It will take millions of dollars a lot of hard work a concerted effort by all the stakeholders and lots of patience and maybe even trial and errors. Since most Bahamians have moved from the 'over the hill area' and further south and east and west, the most sure way to bring Nassau back to life is to make it a living city. It can no longer be a shopping strip with a few historic attractions, but it has to become a full fledged city with living accommodations, with hotels, with food stores and with people. People who can walk from their condo or apartment or hotel room at night to the movies or to a special event. Or even take a short drive. The city cannot go dead at 5 and everyone packs up and go home. It has to be like a Cable Beach where there is a little of everything and a reasonable confidence of feeling secure. Why cannot boat operators or taxi drivers live downtown so when they have a late fare or early tour, they can be a stones throw from work?
Chucky 8 years ago
The biggest problem with downtown at night is the crime.
Either need 100 police walking beat to make it safe, or address the real issues causing crime; i.e. that being the greedy starving the poor!
Either way, nobody wants to go out at night anymore because it isn't safe. This needs addressing before anything else.
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