By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A former Deputy Prime Minister believes the Government’s planning consultation over the new British Colonial Hilton parking garage is pointless, given that construction is moving “full steam ahead”.
Brent Symonette, in a recent interview, suggested that Bahamians and interested parties were being asked to review and comment on a project that already seemed to have received all the necessary planning permits and approvals.
And he questioned whether the design was in keeping with efforts to preserve the character and authentic Bahamian architecture of downtown Nassau, given that renderings of the multi-level garage show a property more in keeping with the financial districts of London or New York.
“When I passed there yesterday, the steel was 20 feet out of the ground,” Mr Symonette told Tribune Business. “I don’t know what we’re supposed to say. It’s going full steam ahead.
“That garage is so uncharacteristically Bahamian. What are we trying to do in preserving the charm of downtown? The old Charleston group.... what are we doing?”
Mr Symonette’s comments will likely strike a chord with many Bahamians, especially those who live and work near the construction site adjacent to the existing British Colonial Hilton hotel on Marlborough Street.
The Government’s Department of Physical Planning first started publishing notices about the public consultation earlier this month - after China Construction America’s subsidiary, Newworld One Bay Street Ltd, began building work that is still continuing.
The timeline indicates that the Government may again have failed to follow its own statutory planning processes, and will fuel suspicions that respondents to the consultation are being asked to respond to a ‘fait accompli’ and to help legitimise the project retroactively.
The parking garage is part of the $250 million project known as ‘The Pointe’, which is being developed by the same Chinese contractor currently embroiled at the centre of the Baha Mar controversy.
Mr Symonette, meanwhile, said he had still not been contacted by the Government about its plans for downtown Nassau’s redevelopment - especially the proposed boardwalk along Nassau harbourfront, which will run from Woodes Rogers Wharf to Potter’s Cay.
He added that Bay Street businesses and property owners needed to feel “comfortable” before investing their capital in upgrades and expansion projects, but the Government’s seeming silence was not creating such a silence.
“The short answer is: Nada, no, nothing. I’ve not been contacted by anyone since I last spoke to you,” Mr Symonette said, when asked whether he knew of the Government’s and other boardwalk plans. “People east of East Street are willing to go ahead, but can’t keep being given no answer.”
He compared the 30-day turnaround time for foreign direct investment (FDI) approvals, which was recently suggested by Obie Wilchcombe, minister of tourism, with his own 30-year wait for boardwalk-related and other permits.
“It really does not encourage Bahamians to invest in their economy,” Mr Symonette told Tribune Business. “Or are only certain Bahamians encouraged to invest in their economy? Is that the message being sent?
“We need to create jobs, but is the Government serious, or are they just going into election mode? Foreign direct investment rates over local investment, but when it comes time, local investors are the whipping boys. Yet this is the Government putting Bahamians first. It doesn’t add up.
“I was absolutely amazed to read Obie Wilchcombe’s comments [in Tribune Business] where he said Bay Street is dying. It was absolutely amazing, and I say that with a great degree of sarcasm.”
Mr Symonette said it was important that the Government offer the right investment incentives to revitalise Bay Street and the downtown area, adding that it had to guard against ‘tax breaks’ being pocketed as profits by property owners who then did nothing.
“If they want to develop Bay Street, they have to do something to create an environment where developers and business people feel comfortable to invest their money,” the former Deputy Prime Minister said, “which means giving concessions.
“We don’t have to invest our money, Bahamians and foreigners. We have to feel comfortable investing our money, and if we don’t feel comfortable, we don’t invest. It’s that simple.
“A lot of downtown is owned by non-resident people. It must ensure those concessions are focused on real results, and do not result in greater profits.”
Mr Symonette suggested that the Government take the lead in revitalising downtown Nassau by dealing with its own run-down and derelict buildings, and the enforcement of the parking laws.
“Make it a tourist environment,” he said. “Go down Woodes Rogers Wharf. It looks terrible but it can easily be remedied. It’s not hard, but we’ve got to be sensible.
“I’ve told Mr Christie he can call me any time he wants; he’s got my number. He knows full well I’ll be non-political when it comes to the development of this country. But I speak to you more than I speak to him. I get no answer, but I’m used to it.”
Comments
asiseeit 9 years ago
This government does not care one hoot about what Bahamians have to say, we simple do not matter to them! The only thing that gets this governments attention is the all mighty dollar. PCG would sell his mother to the Chinese if the price was right. Bahamians better understand that they are second class citizens as far as the PLP goes and if you did not vote for them they will treat you worse than a Haitian!
truetruebahamian 9 years ago
Point of correction - there is no Woodes Rogers Wharf - it is Woodes Rogers WALK.
TheMadHatter 9 years ago
Doesn't matter. It doesn't deserve to even have a name. If Rogers rose from the grave today, he would run - not walk - away from there.
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years ago
Christie ain't listen ta da voice of da Bahamian people in da referendum on legalizing thoses crooked businesses of da racketeering numbers bosses like Craig Flowerers and Sebas Bastian so why ya tink he ga listen ta da Bahamian people when it comes ta da interests of da Chinese bribers who are behind dat Pointe project?!!!
happyfly 9 years ago
I drove past the construction site and all I could see was Chinese construction workers. Chinese workers doing simple stuff like digging holes and tying steel right on the side of Bay Street in plain view. Not even like they hiding it anymore. How can anyone feel sorry for an unemployed Bahamian when we all standing there watching and letting this go on ?
TheMadHatter 9 years ago
If it wasn't Chinese it would be Haitians - ........... Bahamians would still not have jobs.
Serves Bahamians right though - after how we've been treated the last 40 years - Bahamians could not see fit to give the DNA even ONE SEAT in Parliament. They like things to stay the same as always. They get what they ask for.
MonkeeDoo 9 years ago
Apparently Steffan Perry Christie was the Realtor and facilitator for this project and all Governmental approvals were properly obtained and paid for. Not paid for, sorry ! Stamped ! Believe in BAHAMIANS !
ThisIsOurs 9 years ago
I agree with Mr Symonette. I would really like to know which person in town planning(?) looked at those designs and said "this fits right in with what we want to accomplish for downtown Nassau". What is wrong with our government? Countries worldwide are trying to preserve their architectural histories but these complete donkeys, I mean dummies, are letting another country come in and bulldoze our way of life...where is the voice of the Downtown Nassau Partnership?
juju 9 years ago
Mr Mad Hatter, Woodes Rogers CANT rise from his grave because Mr. Pindling allowed it to be tarred over as a parking lot behind the current RBC commercial banking centre on East Hill Street #*^~!!!😳😝... How many nice old buildings is this CHINESE high rise parking building replacing?
How can we (Bahamians) continue to tolerate the inadequacies and corruption of this government?
watcher 9 years ago
I have one more comment to make about the new development downtown. It seems as though our Chinese masters have brought their arrogance and disdain with them, because nowhere do I even see a sign that says "We apologise for any inconvenience while construction is in progress" Instead, we have to put up with incessant traffic holdups, workers wandering around the streets and crossing the road as if they own the place, and signs in Chinese but without the equivalent in English. It's disgusting that they are treating us with such utter contempt in our own country
islandlad 9 years ago
"And he questioned whether the design was in keeping with efforts to preserve the character and authentic Bahamian architecture of downtown Nassau, given that renderings of the multi-level garage show a property more in keeping with the financial districts of London or New York."
And what is wrong with growing with the times, we want the shops, bars and restaurants to make money but traffic is terrible, Parking is worse.....I think there is one formal garage downtown and arent they closed on Sundays....we want local to get out and about and grow to be a developed country, yet we want to look like 3rd world.
"Mr Symonette’s comments will likely strike a chord with many Bahamians, especially those who live and work near the construction site adjacent to the existing British Colonial Hilton hotel on Marlborough Street" I'm sorry, how many people actually live right where referenced downtown.....this is a commercial and finacial distric with charm in design with pastel colors of the shops. Much more gentrification still needs to happen on some of those abondoned buildins......Oh, and by the way,indeed for the few home owners,have you not heard of property value increases....make it through the construction and the added ammenities will certainly increase their value....just like the communities around Baha Mar did in anticipation of the project finishing.
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