The Tribune

By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The Government senator leading downtown Nassau's overhaul has promised to create new vendor opportunities through the pedestrianisation of Market Slope.

Speaking at a PLP Women’s Branch Meeting yesterday, Randy Rolle, also the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation's global relations consultant, said the move will create a scenic route for visitors exiting the Nassau Cruise Port to move into Bay Street and provide an opportunity for Bahamian entrepreneurs to capitalise on this foot traffic

He explained that thousands of visitors pass through the cruise port daily, and the pedestrianized area will create a navigation path and an area where local artists and vendors can display their crafts and sell their wares.

“Since the cruise port came into play, at any one time you can have about 8,000 to 10,000 people walking off the cruise port and right now they go in all different directions," Mr Rolle said.

“It is the view of our government that we create a scenic route for them, and an area that we can have vendor opportunities and allow people walking off the street to come and be able to look at different Bahamian crafts, and an opportunity for vendors to sell their displays, hats, t-shirts and everything they have.”

In the Senate last week, Mr Rolle announced that improvements will begin on Junkanoo Beach during the 2024 first quarter and none of the current vendors will be displaced as the project will be undertaken in phases.

Yesterday, he explained that once the work on Junkanoo Beach is completed it will provide an opportunity for more vendors to set up in the area.

He added that the Government is working with stakeholders to ensure vendors on Junkanoo Beach are regulated, and noted that only a few of the current vendors are connected to utilities from Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) and Water and Sewerage.

He said: “As it relates to the Junkanoo Beach project there is going to be some vendor opportunities there. We’re trying to create an approach that people can be pleased, people can be happy and families can go to that area and have a good time.

“The Junkanoo Beach project has been a tedious task because there probably are only one or two stalls who are connected to BPL and Water and Sewerage out off all of the ones you see there. It’s something we wanted to regulate.

“We didn’t want everyone just showing up and that’s something that we’ve had an issue with; people just showing up, setting up on the side of the road and, when you try say something to them to clean up… so we wanted to do it and do it right.”

The Downtown Nassau revitalisation has already overseen the demolition of several derelict buildings on Bay Street, with plans to demolish another once the permit has been received.

Mr Rolle said the sites involved will be used as green spaces and be allocated for the establishment of new businesses. He added that the selection process for vendors will be "meticulous" to ensure their products "align with the community's interests and values".

He said: “With vacant lots now available, our objective is to transform them into green spaces and allocate them for new businesses. The selection process of interested vendors will be meticulous, ensuring their contributions align with the community interests and values.

“Through strategic planning and collaborative efforts we envision a revitalised city centre that thrives economically and embodies safety and beauty for all.”