Work begins on new waterfront complex

CONSTRUCTION of the new billion-dollar Port-of-Spain waterfront complex, which could house the headquarters of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) secretariat, began yesterday with the start of demolition works at the old Cruise Ship Complex on Wrightson Road. Throughout the day, workmen were observed busily dismantling several of the structures in the area. Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) chairman Noel Garcia said the complex had been handed over to the Urban Development Company of TT (Udecott).

If TT wins the FTAA secretariat, the new complex would be the site of a world-class hotel and several conference centres. Garcia said the Cruise Ship Complex had now been relocated to Shed Four on the Port-of-Spain Port and the only issue now concerns the relocation of the popular Breakfast Shed. The PATT chairman said negotiations with Breakfast Shed vendors were still in progress. When Newsday visited the Breakfast Shed yesterday, the popular eating spot was packed with customers oblivious to the demolition work taking place next door.

Some of the vendors said they were told unofficially they would have to move by month’s end, but have no idea where or when the Breakfast Shed would be relocated. The vendors said they would carry on with business as usual until they received official word. Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis confirmed that work had started on the new complex and said no decision had been taken on the Breakfast Shed’s relocation. Robinson-Regis said efforts were ongoing “to work out the logistics” on the Breakfast Shed’s relocation and everything would be done to ensure that the vendors have proper facilities to conduct their business.