Government officials on Tuesday signed an almost $6 million contract for the construction of a new colonial style court complex to be located on Nassau and South streets.
Officials said construction will begin within two weeks and is scheduled to be completed by January 2007.
Members of the judiciary have for years been anticipating the construction of the complex.
During last year´s opening of the legal year, Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall pointed out that the present Supreme Court complex might prove an embarrassment considering the beginning of a major commercial trial that included a large number of lawyers, including five from the English Bar.
Attorney General Alfred Sears reiterated similar sentiments on Tuesday, pointing out that on occasion, the courts have been suspended for some reason or another because of the unacceptable condition of the buildings.
“For too long, magistrates, staff and the public were expected to use cramped courtrooms, poorly ventilated, damp and inadequately lit facilities,” Minister Sears said.
“Today, we intend to address these inadequacies and shortcomings, and therefore I am extremely pleased that all of these inadequacies will be a thing of the past for the foreseeable future upon completion of this complex. Today marks the first stage of the modernization process of the infrastructure of the judiciary.”
The government had hoped to begin construction on the new complex during the 2004/2005 fiscal year, but was delayed due to a number of factors, including last year´s hurricanes and the fact that some persons asserted claim to the property – a situation Minister Sears said is presently being addressed.
According to Works and Utilities Minister Bradley Roberts, the new building will house 12 courts on a total area of 44,000 square feet and will be constructed in the traditional concrete block and stucco finish with a standing seam metal roof.
Minister Roberts further revealed that a decision was also taken to include an additional three features in the building critical to ensuring the safety, comfort and security of clients and staff of the facility.
Those features include an additional elevator to accommodate the physically challenged at a cost of some $80,000, a sprinkler system at an estimated cost of $40,000, and a generator system at a cost of $170,000
“In order to provide sufficient parking space for employees and the general public using this complex, additional expenses will be incurred as the government seeks to procure other properties in close proximity to the site,” the Minister said.
“I might add that property has already been purchased both toward this end as well as to accommodate the relocation of the basketball court that must be removed prior to commencement of the construction works.”
Penn´s Renovation and Construction reportedly submitted the most competitive bid of $5.3 million, winning over four contenders.
Chairman and owner of Penn´s Construction, Edward Penn, said he hopes to cut down the construction period from 18 months to 12 months.
Sir Burton, who also attended the signing, welcomed the move to construct a new court complex.
“This is one of several projects involving enhanced facilities for the judiciary and we wait with eager anticipation,” he said.
According to Minister Sears, the question of inadequate pay is also being addressed.
“As soon as the Judicial Review Commission submits its report, the government intends to deal with the salary and other terms and conditions of employment of the magistrates,” he said.
Bahamas Bar Association President Wayne Munroe has said that if the government hopes to compete with the private sector for judicial personnel, it must be realistic about pay and benefits.
Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
