The new Port-of-Spain

THE BREAKFAST Shed, Cruise Ship Complex and huge sections of the Port of Port-of-Spain are being moved to make way for the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Development, one of several major construction projects aimed at modernising Trinidad and Tobago’s capital. Three high-rise structures, expected to be as tall as 26 storeys, will be erected on the spot. One will house the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) — if this country succeeds in its bid to become the headquarters of that hemispheric body — the other will be for the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and a 400-600 room Hyatt Hotel will be the third major building on the site. The ACS and FTAA skyscrapers will also house various Government offices.

The grounds will be beautifully landscaped with fountains and the Brian Lara Promenade, which now ends at Wrightson Road, will be extended straight up to the waterfront. Facilities will include an area for open-air events, including concerts. A short distance away, on lower Richmond Street, the buildings to house the Government Campus will be at least 22 storeys high. This complex, which is already in the early stages of construction, will house the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Board of Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise.

Alongside these developments, key aspects of the much touted National Transportation Plan will take shape. Already in the pipeline is the widening of Wrightson Road to accommodate the increased traffic through the area. There will also be transportation hubs throughout the city and, if it proves to be feasible, the Port-of-Spain/San Fernando ferry service. Also being considered is a monorail service which will operate along the waterfront area, past Invaders Bay and into districts in West Trinidad. Still in the very preliminary stages is a plan for port development. This is considered to be a critical component of the overall plan to develop Port-of-Spain and a decision has to be made about possible relocation of the facility. A location being considered is Sea Lots.

On the other end of the city, there are already plans approved by Cabinet for urban redevelopment in east Port-of-Spain. This will include an eastward expansion of the Brian Lara Promenade to Tamarind Square, a facelift for the Besson Street area, including construction of a new police station. The portion of the Riverside Car Park which now houses socially displaced persons will be reclaimed for a car park. That car park will be refurbished and management will be put in place for the entire facility.

Another significant development will take place at the Princes Building Grounds where the Performing Arts Academy and Centre will be located. The Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) is currently looking at design options and tenders will soon be put out for the design component of that project. In other parts of the country, possible new developments include housing estates east of Maloney and La Horquetta, including the area behind Santa Rosa Park. Developers have expressed interest in building a shopping mall on lands just past La Horquetta.