Nassau, The Bahamas---The Downtown Revitalization Project will provide jobs for Bahamians and create a world-class tourist destination and environment, Minister of the Environment the Hon. Earl Deveaux said September 7, 2009.

?Plans are underway to provide jobs for Bahamians and to transform downtown into a world-class environment,? Minister Deveaux told a partnership meeting.

?We want to give our cruise ship passengers a destination and an environment where they feel they are welcomed, they feel comfortable and want to return,? he added.

Minister Deveaux and Sen. the Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, co-chaired the meeting for partners in the Downtown Redevelopment Project.

?Given the vast scope of this plan and to ensure one common vision, we have established a clear communication and strong coordination between different planners and designers,? he said.

Architects Jackson Burnside is planning the Downtown Revitalization Project, Pat Rahming the new Straw Market, ARCOP Architects the refurbishment of the Supreme Court and the House of Assembly, Bruce LaFleur the Malcolm Park extension.

Bahamas Ferries will handle the Arawak Cay Ferry Terminal.

Engineering and Technical Services and the Ministry of Public Works are responsible for informing the general public about the progress of the work.

The groups met to breathe life into the ?shared vision? of former parliamentarians the late Norman Solomon and George Mackey.

The two statesmen dreamed of bringing Nassau back to its glory days.

?The Master plan to develop downtown includes seven projects worth in excess of $100 million to set downtown on a new course, bringing back vibrant community life to historic Nassau,? said Minister Deveaux.

?We expect that all parties would seek a variety of innovative ways to involve people in the progress of the revitalization of downtown,? he added.

Minister Vanderpool-Wallace spoke about the importance of coordinating and releasing information to the public.

?It is important to aggressively and assertively find the information and get the information from people to post it on the website,? said Minister Vanderpool-Wallace.

He also stressed the need to ensure ?open, thorough and consistent communication? with all utility companies during the efforts to develop downtown.

The Downtown Revitalization Project stretches from Navy Lion Road to Armstrong Street.

The Harbour Dredging and Arawak Cay Expansion will accommodate mega cruise ships and improve harbour management, while the building of the new Straw Market will organize the arts and craft cottage industry.

?The refurbishment of the Supreme Court, the House of Assembly and the Nassau Public Library will protect our national heritage by preserving our historic buildings downtown,? Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace said.

The development and extension of Malcolm Park into a public green space in the heart of downtown Nassau will provide a recreational area for residents and visitors alike.

The enhancement of Saunders Beach as a part of the New Providence Road Improvement Project will protect the beach from erosion by invasive species and create a beautiful space for civic activities.

?The development of a port and ferry terminal at Arawak Cay will centralize our import industry and provide scheduled transportation throughout our archipelago of Family Islands,? Minister Vanderpool-Wallace said.