This was revealed to The Bahama Journal by a reliable source on Tuesday.
Despite initial projections, plans to rebuild Bay Street’s world-famous straw market have been continually put off, leaving vendors to wait even longer before having a permanent home.
“The design has basically been set out, but other things have to be considered like the number of vendors. Right now the architect is waiting on the final brief from cabinet to proceed on the work and drawings. The truth about the matter is the architect is on stand-by,” said the source.
Mr. Foster, who is the principal of ArConcepts, confirmed that his company has provided preliminary drawings and is ready to proceed to the next stage.
“We were hopefully on schedule to have all the design drawings completed by the end of the year so the project could start early January or February…we’re waiting on Cabinet and the minister’s approval of the occupancy design,” he said.
The occupancy design gives details of what the building will consist of, including but not limited to the type of businesses, where they will be located, the number of floors and the number of vendors that could be accommodated, according to Mr. Foster.
“We have been fighting hard to get as many vendors as we can,” he said. “I don’t wish to quote the number, but we are getting near the objected goal. It’s been a hard task, but we’ve accomplished the design brief portion…we’ve provided four alternate occupancy design options for approval.”
The occupancy design is the second of a five-stage process which begins with the preliminary design. The final stages are the construction documents, bidding and negotiations and construction administration.
Minister of Trade and Industry Leslie Miller said on Tuesday that he will present the occupancy designs to Cabinet by next week.
“We’re moving forward,” Minister Miller said. “The Bay Street Redevelopment Committee, which consists of the Ministry of Tourism, Bay Street merchants and the Nassau Tourism and Development Board, has made some recommendations on the structure itself, whether we go with one floor, two floors or a three-storey structure on the old straw market site.”
He added, “The cost factors are exceptionally high, anywhere from $12 million to $15 million…if we rent out sufficient space to merchants, that could help defray the cost to pay the mortgage…we’re looking at it and some recommendations will be made very, very shortly to the Cabinet as to the way forward.”
Presently, on site investigations are underway including, drilling to ensure that no caves have developed in the ground over the years.
The straw market was completely destroyed by fire in September 2001. After an intense three-month national architectural competition earlier this year, Mr. Foster was announced the winner over nine other design firms bidding to recreate that portion of downtown Nassau.
The multimillion-dollar development will occur in three phases, in the end completely transforming the downtown area with provisions for some 500 vendors, restaurants, nightclubs along the wharf and areas where pedestrians can stroll, shop, dine, relax and be entertained, according to officials.
By Hadassah Hall, The Bahama Journal
