The Tribune

DOWNTOWN Nassau has been a disaster zone for some years with efforts being made by various committees to transform Bay Street into an historic street of great beauty.

Several years ago, the Historic Nassau Study was commissioned by the government, and the Nassau Tourism and Development Board “to provide a foundation for the ongoing restoration, preservation and development of the historic city of Nassau”.

Gathering on Bay Street on Friday, March 19, 2004, the first steps were taken by the Ministry of Tourism and its partners with representatives of the downtown business committee and the British Colonial Hilton, to launch one of many initiatives to give Nassau’s main street a face lift.

Gathered in Rawson Square, they cheered as the first hanging plant became part of the square.

Placing plants in strategic areas of Bay Street and on window sills of store fronts was part of the first phase of the “Improvement Initiative”.

In April, 2004, Prime Minister Christie hoped that Nassau would become one of the “most attractive harbour cities in the hemisphere”. He wanted the beautification of the town to be one of his legacies.

“Historic Nassau is unique in character, architectural style, identity, and historical image,” the authors explained in the introduction to The Study. “The Study sets out as its objective the establishment of a Uniqueness Preservation Plan, that serves to preserve that uniqueness by planning for future development and change before it occurs in an effort to prevent the loss of essential characteristics, spirit and identity of Nassau.

“An overview of the history of The Bahamas provides the chronological backdrop for the present historical features that are the subject of the preservation efforts. The history serves to introduce the various groups of people who inhabited New Providence through the centuries, and sheds some light on the influences and trends that would have informed the making of space, architecture, and community in Nassau.

“The context of the study assumes a position that the physical, social, and economic history are inextricably intertwined and that no aspect of that history can be considered in the absence of the others. The Study was conducted by a team of citizens drawn from both the private and public sectors and was designed to encourage maximum citizen involvement. This final report results from a three-phase process of research, planning and recommendations.”

It was a well thought out and beautiful presentation, showing photos of old Nassau and some of its unique architectural features. And, of course, suggestions for the revitalisation of the main commercial centre was laid out. It was widely circulated among the business community and all those Bahamians interested in their town.

There were many committees after that with the late Norman Solomon, a leading Bay Street businessman, being the most active spirit behind the programme.

However, over the years, politics, crime and a general flight of business from Bay Street hampered all progress. Nevertheless, over the years whatever plans were being formulated were widely circulated through the newspapers giving Bahamians every opportunity to express their opinion on what they wanted for their town.

And so it came as a surprise when earlier this year it was announced that China Construction America (CCA) now owned the historic British Colonial. We were told that it was to be known as The Pointe, but it had been agreed that no construction would start on the $250m resort until CCA had completed construction on the $3.5 billion Baha Mar in Cable Beach.

And so we were alarmed when we saw construction underway at The Pointe, while a dispute had slowed down, and eventually closed, the Baha Mar resort. Making matters even worse during this upheaval, our Deputy Prime Minister “Brave” Davis had flown to Panama to participate in the ribbon-cutting of CCA’s Latin American Regional headquarters praising CCA for its efforts to “improve our economy through foreign direct investment, and the creation of jobs,” etc. Five months later, 2,000 Bahamians were made redundant because of a dispute between Baha Mar’s three partners – CCA having put down tools and walked off the job. Of course, the project closed.

However, we were further shocked when seeing for the first time a photograph of a monstrous glass structure about to be built on our town’s most historic site. Last week, construction on the site had been shut down because CCA had gone ahead without the required construction permits from the Ministry of Works. The Ministry issued a stop order until this had been done.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, who had complained that he had been trying for years to get into Mr Christie’s office to discuss the development of Bay Street, now called for resignations. He wanted Prime Minister Christie, and Mr Davis, from whose department the permits were to be issued, to step down. He demanded to know why there wasn’t greater scrutiny of this development.

In the past, Bahamians were always consulted on plans for their city centre. But not now, Beijing-owned CCA had come in and seemed to have carte blanche do whatever it wanted without any consideration for Bahamians.

Speaking with someone who for years worked hard with the downtown committee on the beautification of Bay Street, we were told that all the Chinese were interested in was using every square inch of the property to make money. It was suggested that the expansive concrete slab that was being laid out as parking space for 1,000 cars would be more attractive if there were a few plants, or flowering shrubs around to break up the ugly monotony of concrete, particularly in the area in which it is located. Oh, no, not one inch of concrete on which money could be made from a parked car was to be sacrificed for a bit of greenery to soften the ugliness of the area. “It’s going to be just concrete and glass - it has absolutely no saving graces. I couldn’t work with them,” we were told.

“Maybe their culture is different. But if they are to remain here they have to understand that aesthetic beauty does matter to Bahamians.

“After all, this is what has made Charleston so charming — they have preserved their beauty. But with these people, they have made it clear it is going to be their way and no one else’s.”

It would be advisable for both Prime Minister Christie and Deputy Prime Minister Davis to sit down with their new-found friends and advise them that they are not above our laws, nor are they here to destroy our culture.

We recall the advice that our father (Sir Etienne Dupuch) gave us when he sent us to school in Europe: “When in Rome,” he said, “do as the Romans do. If you don’t like it, come home.” In other words you can’t change another man’s culture and way of life. If it is not to your liking return home. We pass this bit of advice on for what it is worth.