The Tribune

Potter’s Cay’s total redevelopment may cost $12 million if the Government fully approves plans for the area’s overhaul, it was announced last night.

The Christie administration issued a release clarifying comments by V Alfred Gray, minister of agriculture and marine resources, in which he implied that Potter’s Cay renovation costs had near-tripled from $3.1 million to $9 million.

The Government said two different ministries were responsible for the upgrade. While the Ministry of Transport and Aviation had responsibility for the infrastructure improvements, the Ministry of Agriculture willtackle vendor stalls and the commercial aspects.

As a result, while the Ministry of Transport’s works budget had not changed from the projected $3 million, the Ministry of Agriculture’s portion of the Potter’s Cay project is currently pegged at $9 million -hence the $12 million cost.

“The Ministry of Transport and Aviation is responsible and has oversight of the scope of works currently underway at Potter’s Cay,” the Government said.

“This scope includes the construction of the boardwalk, the sidewalks, the landscaping, the parking lot, the roadworks, the fencing and a new cargo holding building. This aspect of the project is estimated to cost about $3.1 million. This project is in the advance stage of development.”

It added: “The Ministry of Agriculture has the responsibility for the fish and food vendors, and the stalls connected with their commercial enterprise. This Ministry plans to demolish the existing stalls and replace them with new ones, while increasing the number of stalls to around 65, with a number of them constructed over water given the restricted space between the bridge and the bulkhead at Potter’s Cay.

“This phase of the redevelopment project has not yet commenced, as the drawings and design proposal are before the Cabinet for approval. According to [Mr] Gray, the estimated cost of this project is $9 million based on advice from the technical team at the Ministry of Works and Urban Development. If approved, the total cost of the redevelopment of Potter’s Cay can cost around $12 million.”

The Government added that these costs might soar even higher, given that the figures unveiled to-date “do not include the possibility of compensation to food vendors by the Government for loss of business during construction”.