New diversions coming as GT project rolls on
(CNS): New temporary traffic diversion from Edward Street to Main Street will be in place from the middle of this month until December, as Phase 3 of the Central Business Development Enhancement Project begins, part of the long-running George Town Revitalisation Initiative. The planning ministry is encouraging commuters to plan their routes in advance and expect some delays.
According to a press release, this latest phase involves new lighting installations, extensive upgrades to underground utilities, compaction and the laying of new pavers.
“These enhancements are designed to make George Town more pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically pleasing, aligning with the broader vision of the GTRI to transform the capital into a dynamic and accessible urban centre,” officials stated.
The initiative has been rolling on for years. As well as updating ageing infrastructure, the ministry claims it is about “creating a city that reflects the unique cultural heritage of the Cayman Islands while embracing modern urban living”, which has yet to materialise.
Nevertheless, officials said it is about boosting business by increasing foot traffic and improving pedestrian accessibility through new pathways and better road links, making it easier for everyone to navigate the city.
While there remains a glaring lack of trees in the downtown areas, the ministry said the project will include new green spaces and pocket parks, providing places to relax and connect with nature in the middle of the city, though they have not said when people can expect to see more greenery and shade in this part of the capital.
Despite the repeated and significant loss of culturally significant properties in and around the capital, officials have said the project “will also focus on revitalising historical sites, turning them into attractive landmarks”, honouring the island’s history while “supporting a thriving urban culture”.
However, no one has identified which of the remaining older buildings in town have been protected as part of this project.
The commitment to a sustainable future is demonstrated through the use of eco-friendly materials, LED lighting and solar-powered infrastructure, officials indicated.
Visual representations of the planned changes, including maps and artist renderings, are available on the project’s website.
The community is also invited to share feedback to ensure that the project meets the needs and expectations of everyone in George Town.
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Category: development, Local News
We all know the reason.
PM 101 and milestones.
Contract savs Robson get paid this percentage on completion of this milestone.
Then they move onto the next one.
After a month they stop work as they are yet to be paid.
when thet are finally paid they start again.
This is not a PWD issue.
It is the department or Ministry whose project it is.
This is speaking from experience.
We did a 6 month project that ran out 2 years as we just wern’t getting paid as per the contract.
Soon all businesses out there will close & move. There’s no parking and cruise tourists don’t spend much.
The project no one asked for lol.
The design is flawed. It is creating more hardscapes and monuments but failing to create places where people want to gather.
Whose design is this anyway?
This is the ongoing project which was supposed to take 6 months……14 months ago???
Astounding mismanagement of a project where nobody is accountable…PWD..?
I like the idea of a revitalized GT. However, I recently went to GT for the first time in a while. Took a walk down Cardinall Avenue, I believe the first area to be “revitalized”, and while the pedestrian path was nice and new down the middle, the storefronts along each side were DISMAL. Closed up shop spaces, what appeared to be some sort of Clearance sale going on in the old Kirk Freeport jewellery shop. I hope there’s a plan for more revitalization of what will be on offer. A good cafe or two would be nice. It’s a shame that Bread & Chocolate and Bluestone Lane are gone.
Any business that was there was struggling before Covid, smothered by lockdown, and is hemorrhaging cash or shuttered after lengthy construction works. Stayover tourists aren’t interested in paying $50 in taxis and waste a half day to witness firsthand the ugly of George Town’s business vacuum.
Temporary? Can we get a cost analysis on this 100 yards of work as well as the 3 kilometer bypass? As embarrassing as the pace of work is, I can’t imagine the cost!
I guess that me and 10:42 are the only ones who have hope. Look at it this way: They are spending the money, so we should hope for benefit. I want this to work to SOMEbody’s benefit. It won’t be mine, but that doesn’t make it unworthy.
if they plant trees first they could possibly provide shade when the pace of this project.
More astroturf coming folks, plastic trees next.
In a town full of rubber plants?
Whole project is a diversion, of our money, in to a very deep hole.
Downtown as a destination is effectively dead. The few remaining places to eat/drink are dwindling (closure of Bread and Chocolate, and Bluestone cafe etc). Souvenir and t-shirt shops, and watches and jewelry. Remaining long-time businesses like Appleby and Deloitte have left for Camana Bay.
At night….nothing. And good luck with parking.
GT looks like cr@p with all the banners and signs, and this is going to be lipstick on a pig.
You talking about King Kenny’s billboard?
Sandbar
The initiative has been rolling on for years…the works and potholes rolling on for years…Robson Construction LOL
Gon’ be a MERRY Christmas again for Robson!
Related to CIG…?
What waffle!
What is the unique cultural heritage in town…banks, jewllery stores, government offices.
Don’t forget t-shirt vendors.
Maybe they can drive all the businesses out so Sauron can take over.
another reason to avoid ghost town…sorry i mean george town.
Pedestrian friendly for whom? Tshirt and shot glass browsing cruise passengers we don’t want? Cayman continues to spend its finite cash badly, without a use case, sensible design, or open bidding.
I cannot wait to see the finished project!
You can tell election year coming up. All these politicians are now trying to make it seem like they are actually doing something for the community.
George Town is not a City! Hence the name Town.
Don’t give them any ideas, they’ll be trying to convert the Glasshouse in to a cathedral next.
Why are the sidewalks around all the traffic lights being daubed with that garish teal paint?
Always classy Cayman…
LOL Perhaos Verdant – might be of intetest, handbags Ministry of Tourism:
https://www.80degreestoday.com/caymans-colours-inspires-luxury-handbag-collection.html
The projects used to do this in Miami in the 70s. Took us a while, but we’ve finally hit ghetto chic with teal sidewalks and astroturf.
reminds you of anywhere in particular?
Green pockets are one thing but also general greenery and shading are essential for a place as hot as Cayman. I walked from Cricket Square to the Court House last week during my lunch break, it could have been a pleasant journey seeing as it wasn’t far and I could get a bit of a break from sitting all day, but I think I was shaded by 2 trees the entire time. I’d like to travel more on foot during the working day but coming back drenched in sweat isn’t acceptable
The trees were removed to make way for you. You, and those like you, who in all reality belong here as much as a coconut tree planted in the middle of the Big Ben roundabout or a soldier crab navigating the streets of New York City.
‘You, and those like you, who in all reality..’
In all reality, go sit in so called ‘Heroes Square’
I used to before they took out all the trees and trucked them off somewhere.