NASSAU, Bahamas — Former Managing Director of the Downtown Nassau Partnership (DNP) Ed Fields yesterday praised the government after demolition of dilapidated buildings on East Bay Street started on Wednesday night, The Nassau Guardian reported on Friday, August 11, in an article written by Nasia Colebrooke.
“Quite frankly, it is fantastic,” Fields told The Nassau Guardian. “It is action, action we have been pleading for, for years.”
Fields also expressed disappointment in the previous administration’s failure to take action in the exercise.
“It was disappointing that we could not have accomplished this sooner,” he said. “While some other achievements were accomplished, the demolition of these derelict buildings is a substantial and necessary step in the quest to revitalize downtown.”
Fields is business development consultant at Nassau Cruise Port, and a director of the DNP.
On Wednesday, a tractor tore down the old dilapidated William’s Shoe Store, not long after Prime Minister Philip Davis, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Attorney General Ryan Pinder, Senator Randy Rolle, who is spearheading the effort on the government’s behalf, and other officials toured the area.
In all, officials say nine buildings have been marked for demolition, with four first in line to be taken down.
The old Pacific Restaurant, Hotel Corona and Union Wharf are among those set to be demolished. The property owners will pay for the demolitions, officials said.
Asked what he thinks should become of the area after demolition is complete, Fields said in the long term, it needs to be transformed in a “phased approach”.
“In the short term, I would like the spaces to become green and that measures be taken to ensure that they do not become dumpsites,” Fields said. “Long term, I think these spaces have to be amalgamated and that someone with deep pockets and equally significant vision should transform the area in a planned, phased approach.”
Fields added, “A substantial investment is required, not just for a visionary development, but for the infrastructure to support it. This will require someone with a Sol Kerzner approach to partner with landowners and the government to bring to fruition a living city that includes residential and commercial enterprise.”
See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/fields-praises-demolition-exercise-on-bay-st/
