George Town boardwalk takes next step
George Town Fish Market, Grand Cayman (Photo courtesy Rob Johnson)
(CNS): Two more sections of the George Town boardwalk project are getting ready to break ground this spring, which will bring the total length of the waterfront pedestrian promenade to 575 feet. Architect Rob Johnson, the driving force and designer of the initiative, says the latest strip will be close to the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal, enabling a substantial part of the area to be much more accessible to both cruise ship tourists and residents.
In February he completed the 150 linear foot section by the fish market, known as the Red Spot, which has long been a difficult area for people to traverse since there was no sidewalk, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road against a wall. It also proved onerous for tourists hoping to take photos of the fishermen selling their wares.
“This has enabled more access with the beach more of a public space, like a park. We will be cleaning up the area and have plans to build shade for the fishermen,” Johnson said.
When the entire first phase of the boardwalk – from Royal Watler to Dolce Vita restaurant – is completed, it will cover about one-quarter mile of the waterfront. Johnson estimates the total cost of this section will be CI$300,000. His hope is eventually to take it all the way to the Dixie Cemetery, where North Church Street meets Eastern Avenue, a distance of a little more than half a mile.
He started working on this idea back in 2009 and eventually received planning department approval in March 2012. A year later, Johnson completed the first 250 linear foot section, 125 feet in either direction of Da Fish Shack restaurant.
Johnson said that the cost of the construction to date has been offset by the contributions of those property owners who have each funded the part of the boardwalk passing their parcel of land.
“I am so pleased and grateful to those property owners who have built or are going to build. The benefits of the boardwalk are huge in comparison to the linear foot costs,” he said.
There will be a “synergy” for all businesses along the walkway, Johnson pointed out. “It will string all the commercial businesses together.”
Meanwhile, government’s evolving plans to revitalise George Town should not affect the progress of the boardwalk, said Planning Minister Kurt Tibbetts.
“Government has worked very closely with Mr Johnson and supported his efforts in creating the GT boardwalk project,” Tibbetts said. “Furthermore, as the George Town Revitalisation Project gains momentum, it is envisaged that this project, along with other developments in the area, will enhance the George Town waterfront.”
Johnson’s plan also includes the beautification of North Church Street and a cultural and historical component. He will be placing benches and planters along the way “to attract and sustain public activity”. In addition, he has conducted dozens of hours of research and interviews to gather information on Cayman’s history.
Based on both archived and anecdotal material, he will be preparing historical plaques that will be embedded in the sidewalk describing the significance of the area in which they lay. The plaques will cover Cayman’s maritime past, architecture, and traditional arts and crafts. Johnson is also designing decorative plaques to be interspersed with the historical markers and envisions producing 10-15 plaques at an estimated cost of CI$200 for each.
“Culturally and environmentally, this is the most sustainable place on the island to build. The island needs a centre, a heart, and downtown George Town is historically and culturally rich,” he explained.
A few gaps still exist along the waterfront, with some property owners not yet committing their section of land to the boardwalk.
“The project has not been without its hurdles and hiccups. We are at a critical moment where I hope those that have not built will be compelled to participate once they see the many benefits of the walkway passing by their business or through their land.”
George Town Fish Market, before and after the boardwalk project in this section (Photo courtesy Rob Johnson)
George Town Fish Shack, before and after the boardwalk project in this section (Photo courtesy Rob Johnson)
Tourists admire the view from the new boardwalk by the Fish Market (Photo courtesy Rob Johnson)
Category: development, Local News
Why can’t people be grateful for what this gentleman invisioned and then put out and completed with the help of the community? People are here complaining if it is a sidewalk or a boardwalk and complaining about a railing. If those things bother you so much – get down there and put forth either man power or $$ toward this project. What have you (those complaining) done for your community lately?
Complain and tear others down who try do something?
The entire downtown should be pedestrian zone. Cafes in the street, cobblestones and trees providing shade. Have a look at the paseo in cb. Allow for residential properties instead of empty commercial buildings. Allow for small 3 story hotels designed to fit our culture (cayman cottage style for example). Move the port, remove the ugly rusted cranes. No more 18 wheelers. Have a vision and the capital will be alive again.
Or…most likely wait until prices for those empty commercial properties crash as dart sucks all business into cb. Then he will buy them all cheap and revitalize downtown. Then we can complain again that we sold our country to one man. Fyi, PWC is moving this year. Another empty building becomes available for cheap purchase.
Great work Rob. The amount of work this must have required to get everyone necessary on board is both a testament to your vision and character and an indictment of the establishment, most of all the government who are happy to spend 10 million a year funding a white elephant turtle prison in West Bay citing tourism demand but won’t spend a fraction of that to build a freaking pavement so that George Town doesn’t look as third world ghetto as most of the rest of the Caribbean and hundreds of thousands of tourists every year won’t have to risk life and limb walking in the gutter of a busy road.
The fact is is a no brainer doesn’t mean it will happen without someone passionate driving it.
I love the way KT says this won’t interfere with the larger redevelopment project. Thank God. In other words this will be the one thing that actually gets done because government are not involved enough to be able to f*** it up!
Hopefully the appalling “railing” is temporary!
Please review the law. There is no requirement to provide any fencing. Should you care to walk the walk together with other critics you will note that the railings are of the highest quality and I can assure you are not cheap.
May I suggest that you and others contact myself or Rob so some constructive comments can evolve. By the way should you wish to contribute to the cost of the beautification project please let me know.
When did sidewalks start getting called BoardWalks ? All this is is a sidewalk..
It is neither. The official language of these islands is English therefore it is a pavement or public footpath. We do not live in america and shouldn’t speak their language.
Something should be done about the vehicles that park on the sidewalk at a restaurant close to there, having to step into the road is an accident waiting to happen.
Wow, how did the railings pass code compliance, you fit a whale through them?
I am no code official – but to the best of my knowledge, there is no requirement for fall protection at seawalls or canal walls – same as at open docks. This is a vast improvement on what was already in place. While we continuously hear about the need for smaller government and less red tape – we hear calls that government are not protecting us from falling over or business owners not protecting us from getting burnt from hot coffee. Time to take responsibility for our own well being.
You have not lived in Cayman for long have you?
The regulation-sized code compliance test whale could not fit through, even sideways and with compliance officers pushing really hard, hence it passed.
Definitely a safe improvement. Agree – why a boardwalk and not a sidewalk? Oxford dictionary says a boardwalk is “a footway made of boards”. If a shelter is built for the fishermen, please, please make it a little culturally fitting. Perhaps some thatch (real one, not plastic).
Chalmers Gibbs Architects was proud to provide this work as a civic gesture (with Mr. Johnson as it’s employee). We are hoping that this work, in addition to other exciting renovation work currently ‘on the drawing board’, will signal the true beginnings of the renewal of George Town’s central business district.
William Steward, Managing Director
Chalmers Gibbs Architects
Where’s the “boardwalk”? This is called pavement, purely and simple. I appreciate putting in a pavement is a major leap forward into early 20th century standards.
A job well done and great aspirations of a young Caymanian making a difference. Ignore the crabs. Keep up the good work Mr. Johnson.
Looks so much better!
great idea…but let down by cheapo/dangerous railings
So far so good. Very nice addition. However, can anyone from the NRA say why they added a pedestrian crossing at this location without any notification to the public or signage? See the main article photo.
Although the lack of notification does seem to be standard operating procedure for the NRA. I am still waiting to see a public notification for ANY pedestrian crossing. They just magically appear on a Monday morning.
As the owner of the new Boardwalk by the fish market I would like to advisereaders that I did not get notice from the NRA of the new pedestrian crossing which is dangerous whilst the owners of the adjoining property continue to allow buses and taxis to park on their land. NRA need to focus on this. An accident is waiting to happen. They also need to take away the pile of rubble which remains there after they dug up the road and remove the disgusting carpet as well. This mess is an eyesore and tourists do not understand why the owners dod not remove it. It appears that the owners are not interested in any beautification project. Through this medium I ask other land owners to join in the project which my son commenced two years ago, thereby assisting the government in their mission.
There is a pedestrian crossing there now? I drove through there twice today but didn’t notice it. Thanks for letting me know.
Great to see. Hopefully some of the owners who have not yet committed will see how this benefits George Town
It’s a shame it couldnt be left as it was – the old wall was a historic symbol.
Let’s just call a sidewalk a sidewalk shall we? Who will be held accountable when the first young child fall through the “railings”? Who is in charge of ensuring handicap access is adequate?
Yes certainly it was much better and safer to have people walking on the road.
Due to the fact of installing trees in the middle of the pavement people still have to walk in the road. Remove the trees and complete the railings to make a proper job of this good idea.
You need slim if you cannot walk around the trees and pray what did you do that was constructive today?
When people are going in both directions you cannot get by is what they meant, but why make it such a width only to make it narrow down for a couple of trees?
Or ban the Carnival cruise ship passengers from using it.
Parents
Nice. Thank you