Despite the acknowledged importance of the approximately $60 million investment by China State Construction Engineering Company (CSCEC) in the British Colonial Hilton - and the $200 million expansion project connected with the purchase - Downtown Nassau Partnership (DNP) Project Manager Gevon Moss insists that his agency is leading the process of designing a redeveloped downtown, not the Chinese company.
Guardian Business quizzed Moss on the matter, particularly in the light of complaints from the hospitality sector about the state of downtown.
"The Downtown Nassau Partnership continues to be the public-private partnership entity charged with guiding the redevelopment of downtown," he said.
"We have seen the preliminary renderings of what is expected at the downtown Hilton property. The CSCEC has already started work to relocate the current BC Hilton parking lot to begin construction. We are hopeful that the construction will be completed in a timely fashion, and in so doing enhance the economic activity and offerings in the city of Nassau."
The perception lingers that the Hilton's new owners have assumed a significant degree of responsibility for redeveloping the city, reinforced by the prominence given the development by Prime Minister Perry Christie in his midyear budget debate.
Christie noted that the project will include 94 condos and an 82 key hotel, six theatres, a skyline nightclub and rooftop bar, restaurants, 50,000 square feet of retail shops, amphitheater, office centre, entertainment facilities, car park, 100-slip marina and boardwalk.
"This project is destined to revitalize our city and, in conjunction with the joint venture Downtown Redevelopment Project with government and the private sector, will see a transformation of the Port of Nassau into the premier port of call in the Caribbean region," Christie said.
Moss outlined for Guardian Business some of the progress on the project, noting that in 2014/2015, particular focus is being given to beautification with emphasis on streetscapes: 2013-2014 were years of redevelopment with specific emphasis on new public facilities.
"We are also busy writing grants, and working with regional and international bodies to secure funding for capital improvements. Additionally, we are managing stakeholder relations for all of the major property owners involved in the East of East Street Waterfront Property Development/Boardwalk Improvement," he said. "When this aspect of the project is completed, it will truly turn downtown into a harbor city that can rival those great harbor cities in the hemisphere and distinguish Downtown Nassau in the region."
Moss also addressed the criticism levied at downtown Nassau by tourism stakeholders: the cruise industry has been blunt, saying downtown Nassau leaves a lot to be desired. Hoteliers have been equally gimlet-eyed: downtown, they say, is dirty, traffic is a nightmare and in some cases, cruise passengers do not disembark for fear of crime.
"The Downtown Nassau Partnership understands why cruise ships have suggested that Nassau leaves a lot to be desired, as they have found themselves in direct competition with the destination in retail sales onboard, or with their private destination islands," Moss said.
"The offerings in downtown are continuing to be developed. Recently, Pirate Republic and Lukka Kairi have opened on Prince George Wharf. These two amazing operations offer an enhanced experience and have taken the standard of Food and Beverage to another level. These are just two of many new and improved destinations in downtown," he said.
"The Upper Downtown zone named Historic Charles Towne is another progressive community development in Downtown Nassau that has seen pedestrian traffic increases by 25-45 percent over last year."
"Are there opportunities to improve and enhance the standards in downtown? Certainly," Moss noted. "We have pushed for the BID (Business Improvement District) Legislation to be adopted that would give a Downtown Authority the power needed to properly and correctly manage all aspects of the Downtown core. In the short and long term it will vest clear responsibility for managing the city in a centralized body."
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