The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I would like to quote from a letter in your paper dated February 14, 2018, from W Thompson where he/she commented: “I totally agree with the writer Ms Pamela Burnside – the gross ugliness of the design of this hotel (The Pointe) is extraordinary and sends a warning to me – God help us when the Symonette-Bethell Group puts their proposal for the harbour front of their Tropical and east property.

“Where is the Special Architectural Committee for the City of Nassau? I don’t think this new design was ever put to the public by Physical Planning to comment…”

I would like to ask W Thompson what he/she thinks of the atrocious behemoth which is on the top of the hill at the north end of Gladstone Road? Red flags went up to some of us when we saw the bulldozers moving in and mowing down every living green tree or shrub. One of our last few hills being made bald, desecrated. Maybe we hoped something aesthetically pleasing might be in the offing.

No hope of that as we witnessed tons and tons of concrete going into producing what looked, in its earlier incarnation, to be a gargantuan, grim medieval garrison built to protect from invasions from marauding Vikings.

Now, to our utter dismay, we are witnessing the final touches to this monstrosity, paint. And what a combination of colours. My only comment is… YIKES!! And to think this obscenity was allowed in the first place, it will be seen by every tourist coming in from the airport, not to mention those tourists who choose to stay at the Baha Mar on the upper floors and will have this directly in their vision! As W Thompson comments – was this put to the public by Physical Planning? Maybe he/she can let us know!

Although I have read the numerous comments about The Pointe and its non-conformity to the ethos of our downtown area, I think credit should be given where it’s due. This group certainly improved that whole area coming around the bend by Virginia Street, plus the little park that was a total eyesore for years. And, of course, it would be negligent not to mention the beautiful FML building.

I would say the generations that survive us will not be looking at the atrocity at the top of Gladstone Road for our “culture” but rather at the lovely office buildings on the right-hand side leading up to the Lyford Cay roundabout. The architects there really did “care” about our heritage and culture by mimicking it in a wonderful way.

The sorry story of The Bahamas is that there is just so much that can be embellished and improved, it is just sitting there waiting for inspired architects, namely our old Forts, the potentials are mind-boggling and probably would not even be that costly. How is that after years and years, the old Water Tower does not have an operating elevator?

How many of us remember going to the top for that spectacular view over the island? Come on, Dionisio, Mr New Minister of Tourism, look into this. Oh, and while you’re at it, has the lighthouse on Paradise Island been repainted yet?

CATHERINE KNOWLES

Nassau,

June 25, 2018.