THE EDITOR: After 30 years of deterioration and neglect of Her Majesty’s Prison on Bridge Street in the city of Castries, government is now in the process of resurrecting a part of history.
Within the next 30 days a transformation of the former prison should be completed by way of a major clean up.
Once the actual prison has been demolished, the more recent structures which housed the police officers and which were apparently badly designed and were vacated by the staff over 5 years ago will also be demolished, making room for the new OECS Court and a state of the art Police Headquarters.
Plans for the Courthouse have been prepared by successive administrations but more importantly, government has recently learnt that the British Government had prepared a set of plans and earmarked a sum of money to execute this program.
The present administration is now in contact with the British authorities to find out whether the funding period has elapsed for the project failing which other means will have to be sought in order that the entire project can move forward.
In an effort to proceed, the architectural company which prepared the last set of drawings are arriving on island on August 27th, 2018 to meet with all stakeholders in order that the OECS Court and the Police Headquarters can be addressed.
Hopefully, this project can get on the way no later than November 2018 and finally place the minds of the judiciary and hard-working police officers at rest.
For too long a period promises, promises and promises have been made to those two important organizations which remain the bedrock of our nation, and must no longer dwell in an atmosphere of procrastinations. (Michael Chastanet)
Mike, since that area is not reclaimed ground like Castries, first have some soil tests
to ensure the weight and stability of the structure will be maintained.
If soil tests prove to be solid, it would be more effective to have at least a five Storey
building, with the first two storey as administration, and the other floors as court rooms.
Get away from building one and two storey government buildings; lots of space in the sky.
Do provide also, adequate out door Parking spaces, with provision for ‘Seniors/Handicapped’.
It is necessary to provide entrance Ramps for those in Wheelchairs,and washrooms for same.