The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday announced the government’s multi-million dollar plan to redevelop the Potter’s Cay Dock, which includes increased security and the revitalisation of an historic landmark in the area.

Mrs Hanna Martin said the government would be spending $3.1m on the initiative, which would fund the dock’s transformation into an area that is “clean, environmentally friendly and conducive to business for the public”.

She said work has already started to revitalise the area, a process officials expect to take 16 months.

“Many things in our country have sort of just outgrown itself and created some level of organised chaos, and I think Potter’s Cay Dock could be described kind of like that,” she said.

“If you go out there, you’ll see all of the different things happening out there. It’s not logistical, it’s not pristine, and it’s not how it really should happen. You’ll see private vehicles, industrial activity. We have to manage that and streamline it so you’ll have a pure industrial climate but at the same time that it is user friendly to customers.”

She added: “At the end of this process, we expect a more safe and secure facility, and there will be security checkpoints to facilitate that. We will have areas for the securing of freight, areas for passengers or customers to be waiting that is secure.”

According to Mrs Hanna Martin, the project consists of three phases, the first of which will see the removal and relocation of trees on the southern foreshore to create a parking area, which would extend eastward to Williams Street.

There will also be removal of debris and delinquent vessels, including harboured vessels and unwanted material and equipment discarded by mail boat operators and others over the years.

There also will be a renovation and extension of the Fish and Farm store by 150 feet to accommodate mail boat operators and agents, as well as freight holdings, bulkhead curbing, and a passenger wait area.

A bathroom area with security presence also will be erected and installed during this phase.

The second phase will see the establishment of security checkpoints at the entrance and exit of the entire facility, primarily to monitor and control access to the mail boat area.

Permanent curbs also will be erected at the end and around the perimeter of the dock as a safety measure to prevent potential accidents.

And, according to Mrs Hanna Martin, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation plans to work in conjunction with the Royal Bahamas Police Force to enforce the new security measures.

The final phase will see the widening of the dock’s main entrance and exit and the removal of its sidewalks. Signage, drainage wells and additional landscaping also will be installed, and it is in this phase that traffic will be completely redirected to the general parking area.

However, the key component in the dock’s transition to a more user-friendly facility is the refurbishment of the Potter’s Cay battery, which was established in the 1700’s to protect the harbour, but has since fallen into disrepair.

That move, officials said, is estimated to cost about $60,000 and will take roughly two months to complete.

“Part of what we intend to do is create a protective area for this historic site and more than that, to create an attraction for our children and also as a touristic attraction, and for our people in general,” Mrs Hanna Martin said.

The plan to redevelop the dock is a joint effort between the public and private sector.

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday pledged their support of the initiative.