Local architects will have the opportunity to play a part in the creation of the future straw market, as the Minister of Trade and Industry, Leslie Miller, announced on Tuesday, an “open competition” for Bahamian architects to submit ideas and designs for the development of the historic area ravaged by fire on September 4, 2001.
Minister Miller, who was speaking at the British Colonial Hilton, said the competition is the first in a series of steps that will be undertaken to advance the development of an area well beyond the confines of the old straw market. Both the competition and development plans, he said, will encompass a broad area of the city, from Bay Street to the waterfront, stretching along Woodes Rogers Walk from Navy Lion Road east to the Ministry of Tourism’s Festival Place.
“Over the past two months, we have created and held extensive discussions with an advisory committee, representative of all the key stake- holders in the development of this area. We have worked closely with the Nassau Tourism and Development Board which has assisted in this process and we have also solicited the views of the architectural community as to how to best structure a fair and open competition, which will elicit the best thinking that Bahamian architects can offer,” said the Trade and Industry minister.
Architects entering the competition will have to address the overall development of Bay Street in three phases. The first phase incorporates the site of the former straw market. Phase two considers the government’s parcel along Navy Lion Road, where the temporary straw market is now located, while phase three includes the development of the waterfront area along Woodes Rogers Walk from Navy Lion Road to the foot of Parliament Street.
Recognizing the inconvenience that straw vendors are experiencing in their temporary location, Minister Miller said his immediate concern is to advance the implementation of Phase One, which will house the straw market, adding that plans are in the making to break ground
Minister Miller said a stated purpose of the project is to produce an atmosphere that is exciting, entertaining and inviting for both visitors and residents, while taking full advantage of development opportunities along the waterfront.
“We envision Bahamians being provided the opportunity to invest in the project, thus affording Bahamians with the opportunity to own a vested interest in Bay Street and historic Nassau,” said Minister Miller, who further stated that the Ministries of Tourism and Trade and Industry are pleased to be spearheading a collaborative effort with assistance from the Nassau Tourism and Development Board, who are engaging a cross-section of Bahamians in the development of the area.
Minister Miller said an advisory committee was also formulated, comprised of representation from artisans, straw vendors, retailers, real estate, hotel, restaurant and other public and private interests to provide professional advice in the development of the area.
Architects will be provided with a number of guidelines, which address usage, the general allocation of space, pedestrian and traffic flow. All architects interested in entering the competition are asked by the Ministry to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade of Industry, by Friday December 13th, for a copy of the competition brief.
All entries must reach the Ministry by Friday, January 24, 2003. Up to five finalists will be announced on February 14 and an overall winner will be selected on March 17. According to Minister Miller, the winner of the competition will be awarded the contract.
“The fire of September 4 struck a hard blow to our economy and to the hundreds of vendors and employees who were affected by it. However, from crisis can come opportunity. We believe that in drawing on our God-given creative abilities and with diligence and due course, from the ashes of this tragic event, will arise a transformed downtown Nassau in which all of us will take great pride,” Mr. Miller said.
By Tamara McKenzie, The Nassau Guardian
