New Category : Public Works/Infrastructure

Ministry of Tourism continues to get rid of dilapidated structures

Mon, Feb 12th 2024, 05:02 AM

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation is continuing to rid areas of derelict and dilapidated structures posing safety problems, and a threat to the overall tourism product.

In this vein the recent structure to be demolished was the Gaming Board building owned by the Hotel Corporation.  Located adjacent to Goodman’s Bay Beach on West Bay Street, it was formerly the Sir Harry Oakes property; the northern portion once housed Bahamas Information Services for several years.

On hand to witness the demolition were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper, and Senator Randy Rolle, Global Consultant, MOTIA.

The demolition started on Monday, February 5, 2024 by Virgo Construction headed by the contractor Terry Delancy.  

DPM Cooper explained that the government felt the Gaming Board building should no longer sit there in a derelict manner, and continue to be an eyesore and pose safety concerns.

“Goodman’s Bay will be enhanced as a result of getting rid of this building. It will be more aesthetically pleasing for residents who traverse this area. Women who walk in the mornings in particular through these areas will be pleased to see that this has become a green space, rather than a derelict structure,” he said.

DPM Cooper also noted that his ministry consulted broadly with the Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation (AMMC), and other historians before proceeding with demolition.

“We are sure not to take any actions as it relates to buildings, without consultation. So they were very comfortable with the process and we continue to work closely with them on all of the buildings that we have demolished in the downtown area,” he said.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation is continuing to rid areas of derelict and dilapidated structures posing safety problems, and a threat to the overall tourism product. In this vein the recent structure to be demolished was the Gaming Board building owned by the Hotel Corporation.  Located adjacent to Goodman’s Bay Beach on West Bay Street, it was formerly the Sir Harry Oakes property; the northern portion once housed Bahamas Information Services for several years. On hand to witness the demolition were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper, and Senator Randy Rolle, Global Consultant, MOTIA. The demolition started on Monday, February 5, 2024 by Virgo Construction headed by the contractor Terry Delancy.   DPM Cooper explained that the government felt the Gaming Board building should no longer sit there in a derelict manner, and continue to be an eyesore and pose safety concerns. “Goodman’s Bay will be enhanced as a result of getting rid of this building. It will be more aesthetically pleasing for residents who traverse this area. Women who walk in the mornings in particular through these areas will be pleased to see that this has become a green space, rather than a derelict structure,” he said. DPM Cooper also noted that his ministry consulted broadly with the Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation (AMMC), and other historians before proceeding with demolition. “We are sure not to take any actions as it relates to buildings, without consultation. So they were very comfortable with the process and we continue to work closely with them on all of the buildings that we have demolished in the downtown area,” he said.

Still no sign of GB airport construction

Tue, Sep 5th 2023, 12:51 PM

Some Grand Bahamians are questioning why there is not yet any visible signs of work on the planned multi-million-dollar redevelopment of Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA), a project that was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper at the Grand Bahama Business Outlook in March.

When contacted last week on the status of the project, Cooper said, "Work is continuing behind the scenes. We are still confident that Phase One will be completed early to mid-2025."

Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard wants greater transparency on the matter, however.

"The stalled sale of the [Grand Lucayan] hotel and delayed commencement of the airport are symptoms of the style and substance of leadership that must change," Pintard charged.

He said the government is responsible for the delay.

"The airport was intended to be a public-private partnership. While competent, attractive partners are available and ready to proceed, the government in recent months has determined that it will provide the funding through a loan facility it will enter into," Pintard said.

"Secondly, despite having a board in place and access to experts who have previously served successive governments in starting or developing airports, the Davis administration is overly relying on the attorney general and a narrow group in managing this very complex project."

In February, the government entered an agreement with Aerodrome Limited, a Bahamian company; Manchester Airport Group Limited, an airport management company based in Manchester in the United Kingdom; and BHM Construction International, to design, build, finance, operate, maintain and redevelop the airport, with a projected opening in the first quarter of 2025 and an estimated cost of $200 million.

The government said its mission was to transform GBIA into a carbon neutral, climate resilient, commercially viable, world-class airport.

Under the plan, Phase One will be construction of the domestic terminal and the U.S. preclearance terminal, new initial taxiways and aprons, new initial roads and car parks, a flood mitigation system, a flood attenuation basin, renewable energy systems, a sea defense berm and support bridges and air freight cargo facilities.

The government said 300 construction jobs will be created with another 50 engineering, management and accounting jobs.

It said the second phase will consist of new expanded taxiways and aprons, a new domestic parallel runway, new expanded roads and car parks, and its focus will be on heavy lift air freight cargo.

After promising an April start for initial demolition, Cooper said in May, "Any day now movement is expected at the site."

When questioned in June, he said, "Work is being done behind the scene. I have seen the conceptual designs, as many of our local stakeholders have, and it certainly is taking shape."

He said he was satisfied that the project was moving in the right direction and once the designs are finalized, there will be further consultation.

Pintard said the government must provide real answers.

"It is tragic that they do not see the value or wisdom in explaining to the public and other stakeholders what exactly is hindering the development of the airport," he said.

"They are slow in rolling out a realistic strategic plan for the development of Grand Bahama and how the steps they are taking in tourism, the maritime sector, sports development and further industrialization would complement efforts to create a state-of-the-art international airport."

Despite Cooper's recent assurance, some feel that delay means denied.

"I am beginning to think the airport project will end up like the hotel (Grand Lucayan Resort) deal; all talk and no proof," said taxi driver Lynden Black.

"After the Business Outlook, I was so excited when Mr. Cooper announced that investors, including some Bahamians, had been found to build the airport."

While Black agrees that it takes time to get a big project going, he believes some activity should have been seen on the grounds five months after the announcement.

Pelican Bay Resort General Manager Magnus Alnebeck is sounding a more positive note, however.

Alnebeck said the government has done more in the past two years than the airport's previous owners - Hutchison Port Holdings and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA).

The government purchased the privately-owned and operated airport for $1 from the Freeport Harbour Company, which is a subsidiary of Hutchison Port Holding of the Hutchison Whampoa Group in 2021.

The government also assumed a portion of staff-related costs which were not expected to exceed $1 million.

"To build a new airport is a big project and it is important to get it right," Alnebeck said.

"As a stakeholder, I was invited to one presentation and what was presented was impressive. I am sure there will be wider consultation and presentations, as the plans proceed."

Enhancements to Clifford Park

Wed, Jul 5th 2023, 03:31 PM

Improvements in excess of totalling $2M have brought improvement to Clifford Park. The Hon. Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Utilities announced the initiative Tuesday, June 20, 2023 during his contribution to the 2023-2324 Budget Debate in Parliament.

The changes to the park prepare for the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations. The historical landmark is where on July 10, 1973 Bahamian national Independence was first observed.
G and L Construction Ltd. was awarded a $2,752,166.04 contract to undertake the works.

Enhancements include the following:

• Upgrades to male and female restrooms;
• Construction of ramps for disabled accessibility;
• Improvements to the parking facilities at east and west entrances;
• VIP canopy covering and concrete bleacher seating extension;
• Drainage and sidewalk improvements;
• Painting of buildings at Clifford Park/Rawson Square;
• Repair the existing BPL Substation at Clifford Park;
• Fencing and gate improvements and
• Landscaping works including repair to the main field at Clifford Park

 Improvements in excess of totalling $2M have brought improvement to Clifford Park. The Hon. Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Utilities announced the initiative Tuesday, June 20, 2023 during his contribution to the 2023-2324 Budget Debate in Parliament. The changes to the park prepare for the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations. The historical landmark is where on July 10, 1973 Bahamian national Independence was first observed.   G and L Construction Ltd. was awarded a $2,752,166.04 contract to undertake the works. Enhancements include the following: • Upgrades to male and female restrooms; • Construction of ramps for disabled accessibility; • Improvements to the parking facilities at east and west entrances; • VIP canopy covering and concrete bleacher seating extension; • Drainage and sidewalk improvements; • Painting of buildings at Clifford Park/Rawson Square; • Repair the existing BPL Substation at Clifford Park; • Fencing and gate improvements and • Landscaping works including repair to the main field at Clifford Park

Dredging underway in Fortune Bay channel

Tue, Jun 20th 2023, 01:56 PM

After months of delay, the $1.2 million dredging of the entrance to Fortune Bay Canal in Lucaya is finally underway.

Lucaya Service Company Limited (LUSCO), a subsidiary of Grand Bahama Development Company (DEVCO), has contracted A&D Gaitor's Equipment Rock and Sand to complete the project in 210 days.

LUSCO, responsible for the waterways and ocean inlets in the Freeport and Lucaya areas, is spearheading the project.

The maintenance dredging work will be followed by repairs to damaged jetties with an expected completion date in October.

"We understand the importance of the Fortune Bay Canal to our residents and the boating public," said Charisse Brown, DEVCO CEO and president.

"Our teams are working diligently to ensure that the work continues to progress safely and as planned. We are grateful for the support given to LUSCO by Phoenix Engineering Limited, A&D Gaitor's Equipment Rock & Sand, and the Grand Bahama Port Authority and its Building and Development Services Department.

"We will continue to update residents and the boating public about ongoing works and potential impacts to traffic in the waterway and onshore areas."

Last year, following repeated complaints by Fortune Bay Canal boaters about the shallow depth of the canal, LUSCO announced that dredging of the canal would start in September.

At the time, Brown anticipated that it would be completed by the end of 2022 and the jetty reconstruction by early this year.

The work never got underway, however, as area residents raised concerns about the possible environmental impact.

Coral Vita was asked to survey the area to determine the extent of coral coverage and ecosystem health, and to offer recommendations for next steps. The report was submitted in mid-October and confirmed the existence of important species of coral in the canal.

A contract was signed in early December and Coral Vita announced the relocation work had been completed by the end of that month.

The landside work was completed in April and dredging got underway in late May.

According to A&D Gaitor's President Andrew Gaitor, "We already completed 175 by 100 feet of the dredging area up to 12 feet at high tide."

Gaitor said that while there have been some challenges with "mud and debris" at the site, he is pleased with the progress up to this point.

He explained that the mud and sand are mixing together, but are being placed in a holding cell.

"Once it reaches the height of eight feet, the water will go into the next sludge pit where it will become clear water," Gaitor said.

"From there, the clear water runs through a 750-feet trench where we filter it back into the canal. We have a rock system that will bring the water back to clear before it hits the canal."

Gaitor said the workers are dredging to a depth of 11 and a half feet at high tide, which is enough to accommodate any size of recreational vessel through the waterway and will result in the removal of 33,000 cubic yards of sand.

"They will have a minimum of nine to 10 feet at low tide and roughly 12 to 13 feet at high tide," he explained.

Dredging is in its fourth week, taking place daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

"Of course, our progress is tied to weather conditions," Gaitor said.

The long-awaited project is great news for Fortune Bay boaters.

"I am really pleased to be informed that the dredging has finally began," said James Sarles, president of James Sarles Realty.

"The dredging is critical to infrastructure and we've been waiting for a long time."

Sarles said there are boat owners in the canal system who couldn't access the waterway and others who could use the inlet only at high tide and, from a real estate perspective, completing the dredging will be a big plus.

"There are people who have been waiting to buy property here and they come because boating and our beautiful waterways are a huge attraction. But when it's clogged up and you can't get in, it's a big negative."

Sarles believes all of the island's waterways should be dredged, including the Bell Channel canal, where the big yachts usually access.

"So, this is good for Grand Bahama, and let's hope it is done in a quick fashion," Sarles said.