Prime Minister Perry Christie along with the developers of The Nassau Harbour Bay Street Renaissance Programme will meet over dinner tonight to disclose the final arrangements and developments for the area, which are set to be implemented soon.
Members of the Cabinet along with Bay Street entrepreneurs, will be in attendance at the dinner which is set be held at Luciano's of Chicago on East Bay Street. In the summer of 2004, Mr Christie reportedly engaged EDAW, an international design and planning firm, to develop strategies to make his vision for downtown Nassau a reality.
The company used interns during a 19-week period to draft the mainframe work of a remodelled downtown area with three districts along the waterfront.
These plans were then expanded to include the areas from Arawak Cay to Fort Montague.It is said that the master plan highlights the colour and diversity of the Bahamian culture and "draws upon the cultural context of the vibrant Junkanoo festival, the communal fish fries of Potter's Cay, and the energy of the straw market; weaving a theme of Bahamian flavour throughout the various elements of the plan."
The redevelopment is expected to revolutionise the tourism product of New Providence and bring a more cultural and unique look to the street that hosts millions of tourists year after year.
Mr Christie said recently, "the renaissance of Bay Street should capture and promote the spirit of the life and essence of Bahamians."
By: VIRAJ PERPALL, The Nassau Guardian
