Thursday, August 16, 2018
By MORGAN ADDERLEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
madderley@tribunemedia.net
THE new Central Bank facility will be an "iconic structure" and a "one-of-a-kind building" Central Bank Administration Department Manager Ian Fernander said yesterday.
Mr Fernander also expressed his wish that the new premises, to be located in the Royal Victoria Gardens, could serve as a "catalyst" for the development of the surrounding areas of Gaol Alley, East Street, and Market Street.
Mr Fernander made these remarks during yesterday's meeting of the Rotary Club of South East Nassau at East Villa restaurant, as he detailed the major aspects of the vision for the new premises.
"The vision is that the bank will be an iconic structure…it wants to be a one-of-a-kind building" that will inspire awe and be remembered by locals and visitors alike," Mr Fernander said.
The second will be to "achieve a building" that Bahamians "(feel) belongs to them". To this end, Mr Fernander said the premises will include facilities "welcoming to the general public," such as an art gallery, museum, and movie theatre.
Another stipulation of the building is that it be "designed and built by Bahamians as much as possible." A competition was held to select a designer for the new premises. Mr Fernander said only Bahamian architects were eligible to participate. In May, it was announced that Architekton Design Studio Bahamas was selected as the winner.
Mr Fernander also said an additional element of the vision is that the building be sustainable and "as much as possible," be built using Bahamian materials. He added he hopes to have a building that doesn't have to be "so heavily maintained" and won't cause "much headache" for at least 50 years.
He added they are seeking a building that uses very little, "or if possible" uses no energy and very little water resources "from the system."
When asked about this, Mr Fernander said one of the requirements in the design competition was to create a LEED building.
"A LEED building is one that uses very little energy, has very low carbon footprint, and uses very little natural resources from the earth," he said.
Lastly, Mr Fernander said the building must have a built-in parking structure.
The administration department manager expressed hope that, if the building were to be started "as soon as possible," it would take two to three years to complete.
Proposed to be located in the Royal Victoria Gardens, he also expressed hope that the new premises will serve as a "catalyst for the development of the entire area that it's in," until it is "more inviting and more enticing even than Bay Street".
"Much of that area is government-owned land. We're talking about the area from between East Street to Baillou Road… from Gaol Alley to the sea.
"And so the view is, in time, much of that land becomes...public space that is developed aesthetically and wonderfully for the public's use."
Mr Fernander showed panels depicting wide boulevards, the creation of new streets, and even a plan for a railway station.
He said the potential movement of Parliament, the Senate and the courts are accounted for in the plan.
Mr Fernander could not state what will happen to the old Central Bank building on Shirley Street, but said it will be "put to good use."
He also promised that the buildings already in Royal Victoria Gardens will remain and the vegetation will not be affected.
Comments
John says...
Good fishing! and happy hunting too.
Posted 16 August 2018, 3:42 p.m. Suggest removal
DDK says...
The hits just keep on coming!
Posted 16 August 2018, 4:20 p.m. Suggest removal
bogart says...
Somebody should tell these Central Bank Executives.....who ought to know the Moodys rating...recent incrrases in taxation of the population for government to run the country....still cannot balance budget....country debt....cutbacks govt ministroes 10%....debt servoce ratio .....And the biggest luddites....not knowing that with computerization.technology....the fumctions do not require all the personnel...or size of office space required.....they themselves know a few persons can operate a bank from a hotel room...muchless what they are proposing under current financial conditions not likely to improve significantly in near future.....and these the people who publishes the financial figures for FDI...which the country critally needs...no wonder ...Govt knowing financial austerity for nation...and other side Govt financial people ....wanting to build looks like 10 times size of present structure overpowering overwhelming skyline ....looks to me like the rat bat .....muddoes
Posted 16 August 2018, 7:03 p.m. Suggest removal
juju says...
Wait... are they replacing the beautiful mature trees with a bank building? ....like Pindling approved for the RBC commercial bank building on East Hill Street?
Sorry, reading article online and cannot see the map in the article.
What is gov’t doing with the old post office bldg?
If new buildings are built downtown, can someone with good taste approve them? The Pointe is an example of very poor taste. Better with beautiful trees than ugly buildings downtown.
Posted 16 August 2018, 10:36 p.m. Suggest removal
juju says...
Furthermore, If they are taking down fine old trees, the Bahamas National Trust where are you please?
Posted 16 August 2018, 10:39 p.m. Suggest removal
tell_it_like_it_is says...
This is what is killing me about this government. Everywhere they're crying... waa...waa... there's no money, there's no money. But when they want to spend money unnecessarily they find it very quickly. <br/>
That's like a man saying to his wife well we have no food and no water to drink, but I think we need to redesign the kitchen and put in marble countertops. This spending just doesn't add up!!!
Posted 17 August 2018, 6:07 a.m. Suggest removal
screwedbahamian says...
The Next presentation will be at the Chamber of Commerce, VAT increase to 20 percent (%) and the Implementation of INCOME TAX in 2019. Moody's , Standard & poor's (SP) and the IMF will be impressed no doubt. How about a five star restaurant to serve only local grown and produced AUTHENTIC BAHAMAIN FOODS to the monetary policy dignitaries when the come in to down grade our Credit rating and economic growth.
Posted 17 August 2018, 8:07 a.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
"The vision is that the bank will be an iconic structure…it wants to be a one-of-a-kind building" that will inspire awe and be remembered by locals and visitors alike," Mr Fernander said."
Funny, I was just remembering the Royal Vic, They used to say the same thing about it, until
Government turned it's back on it, actively encouraged it's decay. What a marvelous Centerpiece it would have been for a tourist attraction, loads of history.
Posted 17 August 2018, 10:29 a.m. Suggest removal
DDK says...
I understand that the current Central Bank Building is actually RENTED by Central Bank. If this is the case, SOMEONE has been making good money off of this institution. Will someone please be kind enough to enlighten me. The Bank was established June, 1974.
Posted 17 August 2018, 12:45 p.m. Suggest removal
bogart says...
Same time are these other buildiings govt offoces occupying rented.???
1. Immigration building ...Hawkins Hill
2. Sttatistics dept....Maderia st
3. Ministry Labour....Rosetta St.
4. Ministry Works ....Bethel Ave.
5 Payments govt offices Public Treasury bldg.3-4 stoory?....Prison Lane opposite Police Hq East St.
6. Bus Licence .Govt offices.......2 similar buildings incl Charlotte House.
7. Beaches etc Govr offices..west..next to Charlotte House
8. Real Property Tax office...Carmichael rd.
9.PMH Therapy building.....Palmdale
10. Passport Building....T/blvd
11. Agricultire offices.?...Out Islamd Traders Bldg.
12. Offices ......Saffrey Sq......
13. Tourism.....Hilton Hotel bldg
14. Police Station ...Marathon Mall
15. Road Traffic ....which govt entity is budgeted running Stadium
16. Offices in Manx DockenfaleCorporate Cemtre
17. Foreign Affairs...Goodmans Bay Ctr....
18. Registrar General....
19. Public Hospital Authority...3rd Terr.Palmdale
20. Registry Insurance....
21. Gaming Board.....Centerville House
................sooooooooo.....da Central Bank wants a larger Office than the present one .......even has
$$$ drawings...plans....drawn up....and eying up da onlyinest open site back a Zion Baptist on Shirley.....
Posted 17 August 2018, 2:26 p.m. Suggest removal
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