The restoration of Pompey Museum, Seaman's Chapel and the construction of Pompey Square should be completed by October, according to Ed Fields, managing director of the Downtown Nassau Partnership (DNP).
"This is more of the cosmetic side and programming side for Bay Street and right now we are engaged in the construction of Pompey Square which will include water features, some food and beverage opportunities, some entertainment facilities, public bathrooms and just an overall space for the public [to get] together, in addition to the refurbishment of Seaman's Chapel and Pompey Museum," said Fields yesterday.
"So I think that will be our signature piece in terms of downtown."
Last December, fire destroyed a portion of the western end of downtown, ripping through Pompey Museum, the then temporary straw market, and the Old Nassau Liquor Store building (Seamen's Chapel).
The Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC), whose portfolio includes Pompey Museum, reported that it managed to save 90 percent of the artifacts in the historic building.
DNP Director Frank Comito said it is also looking at what could happen in Rawson Square.
"Developmentally, the stage has been set for probably several decades of development that will result in an entirely different city," he said of the project.
He continued, "It's the first phase of basically bringing people -- visitors and residents -- into the town to enjoy the city.
"[Pompey] Square will do that but ultimately we envision Pompey Square, Rawson Square and Woodes Rodgers Walk transformed."
The development of Pompey Square is expected to cost over $2 million, according to DNP officials, who said the redevelopment of Woodes Rodgers Walk and the surrounding area would also be included in the cost.
Fields added: "In the next 30 days or so, you would see the refurbishment of sidewalks and you will see the refurbishment of curbing and the paving of Bay Street, from the Hilton all the way to Mackey Street.
"The final touch would be the role that the property owners themselves would play in terms of improving their storefronts with flora and street benches, garbage cans and the like."
He said the goal of the DNP is to bring Bahamians back to Bay Street.
"We are looking at a broader picture when we think of Downtown," Fields said. "We're not just looking at Woodes Rodgers Walk and Bay Street, we're looking at all the way from Montagu to Chippingham Road to Infant View Road to St. Agnes to Woodes Rodgers Walk as Downtown."

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