A multi-million development plan for downtown Nassau is in danger of being delayed by people who are “too cautious,” according to Prime Minister, Perry Christie.
While giving the keynote address at the launching of the Redevelopment of Bay Street and The Nassau Harbour, Mr Christie said that the time has now come for Bahamians to take a vested interest in considering how to make Nassau one of the most charming destinations in the world.
“We will not allow this to be held up any longer by people who are too cautious, because our future depends on it.
“We are now compelled to look at New Providence and must desire to have it look charming,” he said. Mr Christie did not identify who he was referring to, however.
He said that the Marina Village at Atlantis and the Shopping Village at Bahamar should not take the place of Nassau in its native appeal to tourists.
Mr Christie said that Nassau must maintain the romantic setting of a world destination and it must take on more value.
The redevelopment will seek to remove the shipping port to the south-western area of the island and transform Fort Montagu and Arawak Cay. It will be one of the most far-reaching redevelopments within The Bahamas and may create thousands of local jobs.
Stakeholders involved in the development plan say that Bay Street in Nassau has been “languishing economically” and “physically.” A recent assessment carried out by the Ministry of Tourism, the Nassau Tourism and Development Board and the Nassau Economic Development Commission (NEDC), concluded that immediate action should be taken to identify and initiate near-term and long term enhancement projects. It also showed that public and private partnerships were essential to the development.
Though concrete figures for the development have not yet been confirmed, it is believed that the removal of the port and the renaissance of downtown Nassau will come very near or surpass the billion dollar mark.
However Mr Christie cautioned the audience and those responsible for the development not to allow the project to be influenced by the political views of various governments in the future, as the renaissance may take up to twenty years before completed.
“The success of any plan that will go on for a generation depends on the will of the people.
“Important visions should not be interrupted by the political agendas of governments,” he stressed.
The renaissance is set to bring back the historic colonial mood to downtown Nassau, which is one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere.
The project will be similar to that of Charleston, South Carolina, where over the course of several years, the city went through a renewal process to preserve its history through its buildings and appearance.
The Bahamas is expected to benefit greatly from the renewal of Nassau, as officials feel it will bring a new draw for tourists.
By: VIRAJ PERPALL, The Nassau Guardian
