The Tribune

View from afar

By John Issa

AT THE function to celebrate the 240th anniversary of the birth of the United States, Lisa Johnson, the Charge d’Affaires in Nassau announced that her government would be building a new embassy complex on land they had purchased on Shirley Street.

The Prime Minister, in his talk that evening, confirmed this and expressed satisfaction that this was so.

The construction of a new embassy complex on a five-acre site on Shirley Street and East Street by the United States is good news for downtown Nassau and the economy. Not just because it is a major construction project but also because of its location in the heart of downtown Nassau. It is one block south of East Bay Street and a few streets west of Parliament, the courts and the cruise ship terminal.

This development will be the first major project close to East Bay Street since the commercial shipping terminals were moved west to Arawak Cay making space available for a major renewal of the city. The fact is that, in more recent times, the western part of New Providence has been a magnet for a great deal of residential, commercial and resort development.

There is nothing wrong with this but we can’t let the heart of our capital slide further into decline. There appears to be agreement that there is a need and an opportunity for profitable development and renewal but for various reasons it hasn’t happened as yet.

As a result of the plan to build the new – and what appears to be a very large – embassy complex, there is now an ideal time for investors and developers to exploit the opportunities that it will bring. There are services that those who are coming to the embassy may require. The mere presence of the embassy will enhance the surrounding properties and make them more desirable. The very presence of the embassy and its clients and staff should create a buzz.

Should incentives be offered to investors at this time, the major development by the United States may just be the catalyst needed to trigger other investments in and development of the east.

If I am even half right, let’s not miss this opportunity.

• John Issa is executive chairman of SuperClubs. He is writing regularly in The Tribune.