Downtown road paving begins with Cardinall Ave
(CNS): By 31 January, most of Cardinall Avenue will be closed to general traffic as government begins the long-awaited pedestrianisation of downtown George Town as part of the revitalisation of the capital. This first change will see the section of the road between Seafarers Way and Albert Panton Street paved with coloured concrete after the asphalt is removed to create a walking area.
Officials said that enhancements will be made to the eastern section of Cardinall Avenue, which will remain open to one-way vehicular traffic via Albert Panton Street. Additional street lighting, landscaping and mature vegetation and new street furniture will be added. Underneath the road, the underground infrastructure will be updated with new water mains and relined sanitary and storm sewers.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, officials said Robson Construction is leading the work with support from long-standing partners of the revitalisation project, the National Roads Authority, Caribbean Utilities Company and Apec Consulting Engineers Limited.
Colin Lumsden, the George Town project manager, said the main objectives of the work was to improve the aesthetic and character of the downtown area.
“The goal of the George Town Revitalisation Initiative is to create opportunities for increased activity by locals and tourists in our capital by developing public open spaces adjacent to businesses that enhance the experience for visitors,” he said.
Once the road is closed next Monday, traffic will be rerouted from Seafarers Way into town by way of Mary Street, Fort Street and Goring Avenue, as well as access to the eastern end of Cardinall Avenue, between Albert Panton Street and Edward Street, via Albert Panton Street. Cardinall Avenue will remain open to pedestrians for access to shops, cafes and businesses, which will continue operations as usual.
“This new pedestrian-friendly area in the centre of town marks a big milestone in the George Town Revitalisation Initiative master plan. We are confident the result will create a significantly enhanced experience for the public and local businesses,” Lumsden added.
The project is expected to take place over five months and members of the public can follow updates on the George Town Revitalisation Initiative on Facebook or Instagram.
A corrected map of the project is expected to be released to the public Wednesday.
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Category: development, Local News
Building monuments to themselves because no one else will.
There is no longer a reason to keep George Town running as it will not survive without cruise ships. Just turn it into a low income housing to house all of those who do not work then call it Vote Town.
Another bad traffic flow disruptor to further frustrate Caymanians to benefit the few.
The vegetation looks like what would be in an oasis in Saudi Arabia or Mac’s wanna be home town – Dubai!
Projects such as this only magnify why the need for a more professional bus service should be the number 1 priority.
Planning for the Cruise Shippers I see … no more need for “Dancing Policeman” … Ah well the airport is open so we residents can go do our shopping in Miami rather than in Town.
Camana Bay unlike downtown has PARKING … are we to leave our vehicle on Fort St. Edward St. Dr. Roys Drive to walk along Cardinal ??
Yes, that is the plan.
Peter is right simple solution but you have to restrict parking in town. Park out by cricket field and free rides back and forth to town. I agree with Chris, palm trees are useless put in trees to add color and shade. Then pedestrianize Albert Panton Street, Fort street, Seafarers way just like on Pirates week or Queens birthday. Then use busses that are open air and everyone park outside of Town. Wonderful! Put in some public seating for elderly and mom’s who need to rest with kids. More shade trees and build a proper boardwalk 8-10 feet above the iron shore with public seating above and below board walk. Seating can be made the same way on Royal Watler dock.
Where by on cricket field, by junction of busy intersection?
Not a whole heck of a lot of things on that street that will interest residents! Jewelry stores, perfume store, a couple clothing stores….no bars, restaurants, patios etc. That street is just a daytime duty free cruise ship trap, nothing more.
Why would residents congregate on that particular street when there is nothing there to congregate for (if you can even find legal parking downtown)?
I dont get it.
Agreed. I do hope that the paving and hopefully a future plan for parking might interest other types of businesses to move in. I’m doubtful, but I’m not writing off anything yet.
It could be a good first step for those various stores to change to accommodate us with restaurants, cafes etc rather than the cruise ships ?
I look forward to things change downtown in that fashion.
Where are the West Bay ladies now? #saveourroads #allasphaltmatters
Loving the orange and green Colin. 🙌🏾
The two old shacks at the north end of Panton Street are hardly part of the beautification process, as well as the grass and weeds growing on the sidewalk. Can the CIG kindly remove them.
Chris could you advise in more detail the location of the two old shacks and should Panton Street read Albert Panton Street? Love
I meant Thanks not Love. I was born and raised in Cayman but not reared here!
Good to hear from you Colin. Sorry I meant Albert Panton Street. At the the north west side of the street almost opposite the LA building there are two shacks which have been there years and not used. Grass grows nearby. They make the place look dreadful. In addition they provide another handicap for persons having to use wheelchairs.
Driving past today I saw no shade trees in the centre of Heroes Square just palm trees. CIG should have asked the garden club to assist then. Nowhere to sit as well.
When it comes to infrastructure and planning, governments past and present are just utterly clueless. Its almost as if someone is getting kickbacks.
“It’s almost as if someone is getting kickbacks.”- You nailed it!
Where is that multi story building in the very back of the drawing which appears to be on the Post Office?
If you look at a site like openstreetmap.org it colour codes the roads / streets as to whether thay are major or minor. Seafarers Way / Fort ST. / Edward St. / Cardinall Ave. are all major roads! Albert Panton is not so fine pedestrianise it.
I dont remember seeing any consultation information, anyone else?
Would be much better to barricade off the planned roads before any work starts and see what chaos this causes elsewhere in the district.
Have I got this correct they are going to close Cardinall Avenue completely?
This is a main feedeer road to Shedden Rd. and Industrial Park / ALT’s etc. How do you get from South Church St. to North Sound Rd. / Bypass?
My spell check is not working – can anyone else verify the correct spelling for klusterphuk?
Turn all the shops into bars. Allow open alcohol. People will flock. Works for Bourbon st. in New Orleans.
Make sure to reopen the burger king down the street first.
Breaking out the beads as we speak!
does this require a gazztted notice under the roads law to amend the classification of the road for vehicles to pedestrians?
Sniff, sniff… does anyone smell cruise ships in the distance!
It’s a nice idea but no one will go as long as there is no parking. And there needs to be more than just jewelry and souvenir shops. Camana Bay has the the upper hand because there’s more to do. There’s a cinema, restaurants, apartments, a supermarket; and most importantly, parking. You will not attract people downtown if you don’t give them a reason to go downtown.
Yup, never go into town unless desperate sure to the parking situation
I’m a tourist and been coming down for over 20 years. I have always wanted to check out the shops in George Town. I usually drive down there, drive around, can’t find any parking, and drive back to the hotel. Then, I wonder why I wasted my 30 or 40 minutes. I really have no idea where to park. Everywhere looks like illegal parking. Roads are confusing. Not very inviting. BTW- been to Camana Bay once and the shops there are so expensive that I have never returned.
Completely agree. I had a meeting downtown the other day and it took me 13 minutes to find a parking spot. I timed it! No where to go.
Its designed for cruise ship tourists – their parking will be built shortly, but in the meantime they will commute from anchorages. You think this is designed for locals – lol.
Why most people moaning everything about government! Closing street are happening all over the world and it will work and help businesses. Look at Camana bay it works and people willing to walk also it help to stay healthy!
caman bay was planned and is world class….gt is the exact opposite
And yet we paid millions to planners over the last 60 years, and their job was to plan and control the development of George Town. #worldclass.
10.44am Tell me exactly which roads in Camana Bay are arterial?.
I see palm trees on the proposed new avenue. Miami is removing 15% of its palm trees and replacing them with other trees that are better for the enviroment and actually provide shade.
Better than no trees at all. Concrete wasteland.
Welcome to beautiful downtown George Town. Hope you didn’t drive here!
ag should do an audit on the gt revitilisation process over the last 10 years….would make intersting reading.
Exactly. How many years has Colin Lumsden been drawing a taxpayer salary as the “George Town project manager”?
Sum total achieved so far is the renaming of harbour drive and drawing up plans to pedestrianise cardinal avenue.
Some GCSE level geography students could have done that in an afternoon.
Pastor Alfredo
Pasta, you overlook the sheer genius renaming Harbour Drivr, Vas Deferens Bvd and inserting epididymides along it. Now the western approach of Cardinall can be renamed Vas Ectomy
True, but do you really think Colin is a decision maker here? Entirely out of his hands.
Pastor, well said, you have succinctly described his achievements, it must be something over 5 years of scratching his head.
Another crappy Mac idea that will make visits to GT even more dfficilt.
Where is the “T” in PACT?
Why was this plan done in secret?
Where is a study on the traffic flow problems that will make a trip to GT even more difficult?
PACT stop letting Mac’s and Alden’s minions drive your government.
😡😡
You arent making sense. PACT could undo any aspects of the revitalization project they want to. Colin works for them.
Mac isn’t involved and this project has gone through multiple public consultations. Show’s how ill informed you are.
T stands for Trample!!
Kenny Beach, (Turtle Farm II) is under construction as well!
Wonder how much was paid for Ernie Smatt’s land that government are pouring money into.
Bet I know who the realtor was .
About $7m for just over an acre. Remax was realtor
CIG is also leasing the small piece of land to the south.
I think the market and the fish market are both being relocated.
$7Million frittered on speculation, yet borrowing $300Million to basically buy votes for the next election, and keep people dependent on the state.
Opposition , anything to say about this.?
Wonder when he is going to deal with the guy squatting in the caboose at the Catboat Club next door? Should make for a great tourist attraction I suppose.
is he a woter?
This was done quietly and quickly. No public consultation or debate to ascertain it’s need or best use.
No evidence of a bidding process for design or construction.
Scratch and sniff this one, methinks there’s a real smell attached.
More money wasted on nonsense ideas. South Sound Boardwalk anyone?
The South Sound ‘boardwalk/sidewalk’ was actually a good idea and is well used.
Actually, the South Sound boardwalk is an excellent amenity, enjoyed by many , safely off the side of the road.
Check the beach erosion it has caused and get back to us.
Do you any evidence?
Park and ride on either side of GT might help Free shuttle 24hrs a day =no traffic problems in GT.
Peter, last time we had shuttle buses around town I hardly ever saw more than one occupant (the driver).
No thanks.
Can’t polish a turd, what’s the point? Why would anyone who lives here want to walk around George Town in the sweltering heat and tourists aren’t coming back why would they, nothing here for them to see or do unfortunately.
Surely they will enjoy the plethora of construction sites, poor sidewalks, lack of shade trees, traffic congestion and mediocre food
Lest we forget the Kingston vibe.
Paid street parking with a 3 hour limit and free off street parking will revitalize downtown instantly.
No one goes there because there is no place to park.
The old Tower building site sits empty, could be a public parking facility, instead of the ridiculous Christian heritage park themes that keep popping up.
A parking garage would be ideal
Huge one called Piccadilly that Dart owns..
Since when does Dart own that? If Billy Adam actually sold that to Dart, it would be the irony of all ironies.
He did not
As long as it’s free. No one will pay for parking here – people will just park illegally.
Agreed, but make it free after 6pm to encourage people to come in the evenings.
Cayman is not capable of operating parking meters. Something to keep in mind.
This is encouraging but the other side is providing adequate parking on the peripherals for people want to “experience” downtown. And even more is needed.
The Chamber of Commerce, Restaurant Assn., CMEA, etc. should work with Government to create an attractive environment for nightlife in downtown GT. I swear downtown had more nightlife in the days of Capt. Ben’s Bar, Bayview Hotel and Matilda’s Corner! How come we’re always going backwards?
sandbar, outpost,cabana, rackhams all doing reasonable business….plenty of options if you want to go downtown
Because its scary and far from where people live.
I thought we had some nightlife in downtown GT,there are a number of bars which offer fascinating demonstrations of machete twirling, target practice using a variety of guns, and ganja spliffs to add to the ambience.Not to mention the imported barmaids who will go the extra mile if you are lonely.
Public consultation is a process that involves the public in providing their views and feedback on a proposal to consider in the decision-making. The public are perfectly capable of making sense of complex issues. Decisions-makers are not necessarily experts on the issues for which they are deciding or debating. Among many benefits it generates new ideas to be considered and evaluated throughout the development.
If public consultations about this project took place many issued identified by CNS readers would’ve been avoided.
The same goes for the newly installed barrier near the roundabout where the fatal accident happened recently. It made things so much worse, not safer. Had they consulted the members of public, proper measures to prevent crashes and reduce injuries would’ve taken place.
Politicians want all the credit to themselves – but when it goes wrong the ydon’t care because the money is not theirs and still ssy, oh look what we did for our people.
So all cars traveling north that used to turn down Cardinal Ave now need to turn down Fort Street? Has ANY analysis been conducted on what this will do to traffic???
No one, NO ONE is hanging out in Cardinal Ave. Literally zero people want this. Thousands, however, are in favor of no more cruise ships.
The money isnt going to launder itself
Well, now that we have been prevented (after 3 yrs) from making a right turn there next to the Museum now.
Traffic already sux and will now suck even more.
I just had some dingdong stop in the middle of the lane in front of VS (Cardinal Ave) to drop someone off this morning. SO annoying. I pulled in front of him since he was waiting for her to cross in front of his car and he honked at me!! HAHAHAHA! Then tailed me for 3 blocks until I gave him a brake check.. I hate doing that but Dah wah ya get! And at least he stopped tailgating me.
I just can’t with this government! Did anyone ask if this would add another 1 hour to TRAFFIC in the AM!
Stop cutting down the trees and paving everything then you wouldn’t need to beautify Cayman. Town use to have trees before greedy developers took over George Town.
1.22am It was Govt that chopped down the trees in Heroes Sq and the court parking lot.
“I just can’t with this government” Isn’t that a cute way of speaking… I can’t even… Ugh
There’s nothing to do down Cardinal Avenue… There’s just jewelry and perfume shops there. How is taking away a route that commuters use for work and making a pedestrian walkway gonna change the fact that’s nothing there worth walking around for unless you’re going to court, bank or going to buy your gyal some jewelry/lingerie…
Truth. This ain’t exactly Lincoln Blvd.
Because its not for u or me. Its for those who are in town without a car, and interested in buying jewelry, watches, perfume and local curios – got it now?
Yeah and how many locals are going to buy those things on a weekly basis…? So many people have been financially and struggling with employment over the past two years. You honestly think they’re going to on weekly shopping sprees down Cardinal? Got it now?
CiG always buy the cart before the horse. If the derelict Glass House was made into a multi-storey car park it would pay for itself within a decade even if there was a free shuttle street train into the pedestrian area. The parking structure if so designed might double for parking critical CIG fleet vehicles protecting them during hurricanes. Like many have mentioned on this thread, where does parking factor into the master plan, or wasn’t there a plan?
another fine mess by cig and nra in the making….
there is no plan….just a bunch of silly ideas….like the gt waterfront illegal railings….
no-one in cig has the expertise/experience/qulifications to tackle a project like gt revitalisation
I hope they are putting in public toilets!
We don’t have the infrastructure for this. Traffic is going to be terrible. We don’t have a proper (reliable) public transport system either. Where do residents park in order to enjoy this revitalized town? This just seems ridiculous right now. Sort the road/traffic/public transport problems first and then revitalize town.
Absolutely agreed. CIG needs to fix public transportation first but making the bus driver position a salaried job so they actually leave thier stops on time instead of sitting at Bus Terminal #1a *corner of Eastern Ave & Shedden* all the time and over packing the buses and breaking COVID regs just for more fares. Yes I ride the bus all the time, yes I’ve seen them do it and yes I have complained many times and NO not a damned thing has been done. Cayman claims to be so developed but still work on third world practices.
The first step should be for business and government to agree for more remote working to alleviate traffic issues. Low cost for this and can be implanted rather quickly.
Government should all be based out and bought in town not even in George Town and that would take away most of our traffic
Government (Civil Service) should be half the size it is ,at most.
Convert the old office buildings to mixed use, residential upstairs and commercial downstairs. Creating a “Camana Bay” in town so to speak.
Move the cargo port and you have a deal.
That would change the game completely.
Would like yo hear your bright idea on that since I am a port worker. Please elborate on your idea there please.
Camana Bay has parking. Downtown has nowhere near an adequate amount of public lots nor an efficient and modern public transportation system.
Camana Bay used to have adequate public parking.
This would obviously be part of the mixed used plan. Residential, along with business have required minimum allocated parking spaces. There is space in town for this. Relocating the dated court house to next to the traffic department alone will bring more than sufficient space for a multi story parking lot.
Convert the Thompson building to a multi-story carpark. It can’t look any worse than it already does.
That was supposed to have happened years ago – each government jumps on their own sporadic ideas, implement, disaster – no forward thinking or even legal planning.
That was tried many years ago. Civil servants refused. They said you could not mix residential and commercial. They had to be in different zones. People are not allowed to live in Town. That is what they said. That is what happened. #worldclass.
Let’s see the effect on downtown traffic flow once the cruise ships are back. This is not a Parisian Avenue, where are all the cafes with outdoor seating, I see only one gelato outlet. As for the rest of G.T. let’s see some real shady trees not bushes in oversized plant pots
Don’t be so negative. Hopefully cafes will pop up with a real Caribbean flavour
Bruh, there is no kitchen along there. This is a feet hundred feet of developed and antiquated watch, jewellery, and perfume storefront from another era. Nobody under 40 even wears jewels or watches anymore – frankly, not a lot wear perfume either! Those are dead business models with or without cruise tourism.
Partially because we can’t afford to🤣
Can get the exact same thing anywhere in the US for equal to or less. There used to be great deals, but US import duties were lowered.
25 @ 9:42pm – I generally agree but remember, trees were used in a few areas around the “modernized downtown GT” in the 70’s and 80’s but their roots eventually disrupted sidewalks and pavements – most were removed. Perhaps large potted flora are appropriate.
6.56am Have you walked down some of the roads in central London or Paris and seen the magnificent large shade trees everywhere lining the side walks. G.T. is nothing but a concrete jungle. Tt can be done with a little effort and planning but therin lies the problem.
Charleston, South Carolina is beautiful and even NYC has Central Park. Green spaces are an asset in concrete jungles.
Not during hurricane season
Pedestrianisation is an admiral goal but realistically, in our one car per person culture with terrible public transport options, where is everyone going to park?
Better buy bicycles and scooters traffic is gonna be insane!! Imagine when there’s an event in town…bravo!!
I think this GT revitalization include leaving your car home and walk!
Cue comments from people “Ugh there are big metal things where I’m meant to DRIVE.” I can’t wait to walk around town comfortably!
Let’s see what the cost over run is going to be and incomplete. Follow will be the investigation of where the money went and to who.
They’ll use it as an excuse to justify a port
This is step one to show that Georgetown has infrastructure to deal with the development of more ships and build a port. The wool will be pulled over our eyes sooner than later!
Great plan! Now, to reduce traffic congestion, order rotating remote working to make the rerouted traffic better.
I mean y’all gonna need to address the crime and the fact that now you’re closing another road which leads to more traffic on the other roads.
Why close the street for pedestrians when traffic in the area is already a mess? Nobody wants to hang out on Cardinal Ave.
First, tear down some of those old buildings and then make the landowners pay substantial infrastructure fees for their increased building densities that the Progressives gave away to their buddies for perhaps some political donations and side benefits.
Please let’s see internal affairs or the public prosecution look into these dealings.
I agree re the old buildings. What’s the point of tarting up the roads if the buildings are substandard (most built before the building code was introduced). I don’t see much traffic on the west end of Cardinal Ave these days so maybe it won’t affect traffic too badly. As long as we don’t have the same old dog’s dinner every time some event happens and traffic is at a standstill come 5pm.
Check out the land transactions, which is all registered with the Land Registry, relating to adjacent properties acquired before road works and compulsory purchase of land took place and it might surprise you to see how many PPM (former MPs and unsuccessful candidates) that own various parcels of land. It might surprise some just to see what is found.
So tell us who they are please. It’s time to take Cayman back and if name and shame needs to be deployed so be it.
They should create an area here for local food vendors to sell food when cruise ships return. (think GT Heritage Day). Give them a taste of real Caribbean food instead of Crappy burgers and chicken tenders. It also give people working in town additional food options.
You mean the Jamaican food vendors.
Or, no cruises ever and we focus on stay over
Cayman Cabana, Macdonald,Singh roti could and would appreciate that support as well.
Maybe they should pay their pension contributions before we worry about them.
I think this GT revitalization include leaving your car home and walk!
While I totally agree that the fast food joints aren’t a good look for George Town, I’m not sure vendors selling plates of local food in styrofoam containers out of little wooden huts is the look they are going for either. Someone tried that food court on Fort Street about 15 years ago and that had good local food, but it wasn’t supported. Corita’s was great and full of character and supported for a long time – and even some tourists wandered in – but something similar in the high rent district of GT these days would be very risky. It’s too bad, but a lot of visitors are wary of local food.
A good first step but if you want to revitalize the area the next thing you do is change the zoning and have people live downtown in that area.
I saw a dead part of the Vancouver waterfront dead every evening in the 70’s and then politician’s changed the zoning to bring people to live on the waterfront and 15 years later the place is thriving.
Going to have to move the cargo port first. Who wants to lay the proposal on the floor?
Yes, do it!
LOL People living in GT. Not one Caymanian. Dart’ll be happy if that ever happened. Caymana Bat and Caymana Port.
Unlike Vancouver and other large cities, there is no efficient public transportation or car parks. As with most things here, rampant luxury development was prioritized before critical infrastructure and modern public transportation were addressed, resulting in too many vehicles and nightmarish traffic issues for such a small island.
Don’t need that mess and post-consumer debris, or the feral rats/chickens/cats. Not a value add at all.
What happened to the made in Cayman craft market at boilers road. Maybe government can waste more funds to have a manager and cleaning gal full time to manage 15 tables of imported crap. Go Kenneth get it moving again. We need more high end welfare jobs now that the taxi cartel is hurting