Stakeholders discuss the redevelopment of Bridgetown

A call is being made for an urgent revitalisation of Bridgetown into a pedestrian city, with green spaces, living quarters and entertainment options.

At the same time, officials have recommended that any development should have good governance as a cornerstone, and one central maintenance oversight.

This call was made on Friday during a webinar discussion hosted by the Barbados Town Planning Society on the future of Bridgetown.

Innovation Design Consultant Georgina Callender told the seminar she believed the time had come for Barbadians to change their view of what a city should look like and embrace the idea of it being a place to live, work and play.

The Bridgetown historic tour guide said she was aware of the problems people have navigating the capital, which she insisted was designed to be a “pedestrian city”.

“It was always a commercial hub as well as a home. I think we have stepped too far away from that now,” said Callender.

Stating that people should be at the forefront of any revitalization of Bridgetown, she said “Putting people first means more people and less cars, more recreation and less commerce, more character and less cookie cutter solutions.

“It is time to move away from cookie cutter urban design and create an authentic yet modern Bridgetown experience targeted at our local audience, because a city claimed by its people becomes a city of significant value,” she said, adding that when locals were engaged then “visitors will follow”.

Callender said she would expect some pushback from residents on the idea of pedestrianizing Bridgetown, but pointed to large cities including Copenhagen and New York, where she said there was limited traffic and more focus on recreation with “commercial touch points”.

She said a new-look Bridgetown would have modern transportation of historic forms including eco-friendly trams and water taxis.

“We are not seeking to destroy and rebuild. We are improving the way we share in our rich culture that exists in each community,” she said, adding that a pedestrianized Baxter’s Road would become a street fair with live musicians and vendors.

Describing the City as a living museum, Callender said it was an under-utilized attraction that should have its historic stories woven into its redesign.

The panellists agreed there should be one major redevelopment project for the town, adding that one of the priorities should be accessibility for people with mobility challenges.

They agreed that if Bridgetown becomes a city only for foot traffic then more people from the cruise ships would spend longer time there.

Geoffrey Ramsay, architect and cultural heritage specialist, said while there was some ongoing work to revitalized areas of Bridgetown, he believed there were some spaces that needed equal attention including the Dry Dock, Cheapside Market, Marshall Hall and the old public library building, which he said had been closed for more than 12 years and in a serious state of disrepair.

Acknowledging that the redevelopment of the greater Bridgetown area would require a lot of funding, Ramsey suggested that a trust or charity be used to raise the financing.

“There are numerous plans for Bridgetown. I think we have now gotten to the stage where we have to find funds and we have to implement. There is no more need for specific studies be it near Pelican Village or the Treasury building. I think we have passed that stage,” said Ramsey.

“One must have a charity or trust where donor funds can be received because it has been indicated more than once that donors will not give money to government directly,” he said.

He said past studies have indicated that town centre management was crucial for the cities across the island.

“In Bridgetown, we have rodents, we have sanitation issues, we have various problems, but it is managed by disparate entities, agencies and departments. We need to have one central control agency almost like local government to monitor the city . . . I think that a town and centre management could make a difference. Without it we may encounter serious problems in terms of what happens after these projects are rolled out,” said Ramsey.

Meanwhile, former Private Sector Association Chairman John Williams said he supported the current plans to develop Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown as well as the government-led, seven-year Bridgetown Transformation project.

“I think that blend of tourism and residential is very exciting,” said Williams, who added that another exciting project would be the conversion of the Treasury building into studio or one-bedroom apartments targeting young professionals. “That will be phenomenal,” he said.

“If we attract those persons to live in the City then I think that will be the start of then pulling back in economic activity,” he said, adding that there will need to be some attractive incentives for that project.

“Equally, the rental value proposition for those young professionals needs to be an offer they cannot refuse,” he said, adding that lighting, security and sanitation have to be adequate.

“As residents come back in and as activities start to happen then business will follow that. I expect the first activities to be culture and entertainment and the food sector, but others will follow,” said the former Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) president.

As part of the transformation plan, a new Fairchild Street market is being built. The Probyn Street fire station headquarters and old NIS building were pulled down to accommodate redevelopment of the area.

The Golden Square Circle is to be restored and green spaces created, while private sector investment is expected in several hotel and tourism-related projects along the Bay Street area to Holborn Circle, St Michael.

(marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb)