The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE government is moving ahead with plans to redevelop deteriorating residential buildings in the Garden Village area of Grand Bahama through a proposed $50m loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Minister of Housing and Land Reform Keith Bell said the government has begun acquiring properties in the Bain Brothers tract, which is expected to form the first phase of the project.

The proposed multi-phase development is expected to deliver approximately 270 rent-to-own housing units to help meet growing demand for affordable housing on the island.

“We already have the plans done. We have already gotten some demolition orders, and we have already gotten the permits,” Mr Bell said. “We’re ready to start clearing, and we’re ready to build.”

“We are moving ahead, we are ploughing ahead, and so hopefully, we’re able to get this loan, and it’ll put us that much further,” he added.

The Ministry of Housing and Land Reform held a public consultation on the Sustainable Housing Opportunities for Urban Transformation (SHOUT) Programme on Wednesday evening at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King as part of the process associated with the proposed IDB financing.

Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey and IDB country representative for The Bahamas Shirley Gayle Sinclair, who is overseeing the SHOUT project, also attended.

Mr Bell said the government was working to meet the IDB’s requirements while advancing other housing developments in the Urban Renewal area, along Drake Avenue and at the Heritage Subdivision.

Although preliminary work has been completed, he said the Garden Village project must satisfy the IDB’s procurement, environmental and safety requirements before construction can begin.These include contractor tendering procedures, occupational health and safety measures, risk assessments, the proper handling of hazardous materials and safeguards to protect workers and surrounding communities.

Mr Bell warned that failure to comply with the requirements could jeopardise the loan. He did not provide a firm construction start date.

He said the size of the properties would allow the government to take a phased approach, demolishing and reconstructing buildings while arranging for residents to move into completed accommodation.

He stressed that residents would not be displaced without alternative arrangements.

“We are able to build out. We will demolish, reconstruct and relocate,” he said.

Ms Moxey said the Garden Village transformation was a collaboration between the Ministry for Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Housing and Land Reform, building on the Cities Forward initiative’s focus on inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability.

She said the redevelopment encompasses the Bain Buildings, Garden Villas, Drake Avenue properties and Urban Renewal land, where additional multi-unit housing is planned.

Ms Moxey said the buildings had deteriorated over the years, partly because of hurricanes, making redevelopment necessary.

She welcomed the partnership with the IDB, saying the proposed financing could help advance longstanding plans to improve housing conditions.

The first phase is expected to involve the demolition of five blue buildings, which will be replaced with affordable housing.

Ms Moxey said the government intended to proceed one building at a time, allowing residents to move into completed accommodation before work continues on other buildings. The phased approach is intended to minimise disruption while replacing deteriorating structures.

Separately, Ms Moxey said the Ministry of Housing was preparing to begin development at the Heritage Subdivision, where the initial phase will comprise 18 lots. The land has already been cleared, and development is expected to begin soon, she said.

Mr Bell also identified Wellington Pinder, where the government has approximately 100 acres, as well as East Coral, West Heights and other locations across Grand Bahama as areas targeted for future housing development.

He said construction had begun in several parts of the country, including Abaco, with projects also under way or being advanced in New Providence, Eleuthera, San Salvador and Andros.

Mr Bell said the government was seeking to expand housing opportunities for low-income households and people who might otherwise struggle to purchase a home.

He pointed to the rent-to-own programme, tax concessions and plans to introduce government rental units in Grand Bahama as measures intended to improve access to affordable accommodation.

He also said the ministry was prepared to assist people who reported paying individuals who allegedly promised them housing but failed to deliver.

Mr Bell declined to discuss the cases in detail because they were before the courts, but said the ministry was willing to consider the circumstances of affected individuals and work with them towards securing homes.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that vulnerable groups, including single mothers and small-business owners, were not left behind.

Ms Moxey described Wednesday’s consultation as an opportunity for residents to share their views on the proposed redevelopment and its potential impact on their communities. She said the initiative could help improve living conditions in areas where residential buildings had remained in poor condition for years.