HDC valuator in East PoS

In a statement yesterday, Is We claimed that a June 20 letter from Row Services was being circulated to East PoS business persons and residents and it threatened “cumpulsory acquisition” of their properties. Is We advisor Hazel Smith claimed that this was another attempt by the HDC to terrorise the residents and hinted at the possibility of legal action against the company.

Attached to the Is We statement was a June 20 letter bearing Row Services’ letter head but the parts of the letter, identifying the property owner and location, were blotted out.

The letter said “vacant possession”, that is to vacate the property, would be required by September 30 and all claims were to be submitted to Row Services on or before July 24.

Contacted yesterday, HDC chairman Noel Garcia told Newsday that Row has been engaged by the company to hold “private treaty” discussions with six business owners and 15 residents on South Quay with a view to acquire their properties.

He explained that private treaty meant the property owners present their own valuations for their properties and discuss an appropriate price with the HDC valuators. Garcia said the property owners are free to say “yes or no” to any offer made during those discussions and there is no element of intimidation involved.

Asked what would happen if property owners refused to sell their properties, Garcia said reference would have to be made to the Slum Clearance Act to determine the next step. However, Garcia stressed that this element will not come into play at this stage because Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley is still considering the data from public consultations.