EDITOR, The Tribune.
For over ten years many of us have been staring at the decaying structures blighting eastern Bay Street, and agitating for their reconstruction, replacement, or demolition. Never seeing any action, our eyes now just glaze over as they scan the continuing dilapidation in the Zombie Zone.
We were given a ray of hope when last February 14 Prime Minister Minnis told the press that “we cannot have the derelict buildings just sitting in the centre of the city; that cannot happen”.
He decreed that the private sector Downtown Nassau Partnership (DNP), led by well-known activist Ed Fields, would be responsible for choosing the companies to engage in the development of our capital city. The DNP was forecast to announce big plans that very afternoon.
Wonderful. “Action this day!” Winston Churchill used to demand as wartime leader.
Not quite yet in The Bahamas. During the following three and a half months, we have not seen a lick of new paint, a repaired sagging roof, a restored antiquity, or a freshly unboarded shop window along the whole dismal stretch. The abandoned Corona Hotel still sits as a dark cock-roach haven fronting a whole city block.
The DNP has not issued a peep of what its plans might be. A couple of sources have told me of intense activity “behind the scenes”. Well, why not drag it out in front of the scenes? Does not every right-thinking citizen believe in the modern principle of “transparency”?
RICHARD COULSON
Nassau,
May 28, 2018.
Comments
OldFort2012 5 years, 10 months ago
Are we short of office locations? No. Are we short of retail locations. No. Are we short of hotel accomodation? No. Are we short of any kind of real estate that actually makes money and people want to pay for with real money? No.
Quite the opposite, we have far too much of everything and what we don't have is because no one can afford it.
Therefore nothing will get done because there is no demand for anything. No demand = no money = no investment = no activity.
You can watch the dereliction for another 10 years. Far better bet than anything will get done.
realitycheck242 5 years, 10 months ago
The Broad walk is presently being constructed in sections along the water front. I can foresee Fish Fry entrepreneur type businesses streching along that route but in a more upscale fashion to satisfy the whims and fancies of the many foot traffic cruise visitors because the land owners are wealthy families. The government should insist local entertainment type establishments along the Broad walk to revive the bay street night life from its present drab state.
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