Another road to close as George Town revamp drags on
(CNS): Drivers are experiencing another week of road closures in George Town after the National Roads Authority closed Edward Street Wednesday evening for more work in relation to the revitalisation project that has been underway in downtown George Town for years. This latest “essential work” will see the road closed until 6am on Wednesday, 5 February, and local access will only be permitted via the junction of Shedden Road and Edward Street.
However, two-way traffic is available on Main Street, according to a release from the planning ministry.
Officials said that as the project “approaches its final stages”, the ministry and the George Town Revitalization Initiative “express heartfelt gratitude to the public for their patience and unwavering support throughout this journey. With the project nearing completion, the enhanced spaces will soon be ready for everyone to enjoy.”
See more information about the George Town Revitalization Initiative, project updates and traffic advisories here.
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Category: development, Local News
George Town is a disaster. It should be repurposed for much-needed multi-occupancy residential accommodation. The de facto commercial centre of Cayman is now Camana Bay, and it should be recognised and resourced as such.
George Town is plagued by congestion and lacks the space to support any further infrastructure, much less any competence in CIG or the civil service to implement any chances. George Town was historically the heart of Cayman commerce, but it has suffered from significant congestion and infrastructure challenges that cripple its potential. Parking is scarce, traffic flows poorly, and the overall environment does not align with the needs of business. Cricket Square, while a worthy office park, is just that: an out-of-town office park. It similarly suffers from limited dining and communal options, and its parking situation remains problematic, particularly during peak business hours.
In contrast, Camana Bay stands out – without hyperbole – as a beacon of modern urban planning and community design (e.g. unlike George Town, it actually has been planned and designed!). It is not just a business district but a vibrant, integrated community space that combines functionality with aesthetic appeal. Camana Bay offers:
• Abundant parking: Ensuring that all visitors have easy access.
• Diverse amenities: With numerous dining options, shopping facilities, and cultural attractions, it provides a welcoming environment, which is crucial for people to spend considerable time in the area. Where are the George Town equivalents to Camana Bay’s two separate water features where I take my kids? Or the ‘mini desert island’? George Town is ‘Blackpool with sunstroke’: a higgledy-piggledy random assemblage of buildings defined by cruise tourism junk shops and slowly failing legacy retail outlets.
• Strategic location: Situated away from the dysfunction of George Town, and in the middle of Seven Mile Beach corridor, and easily accessible for counsel and clients in hotel accommodation in Seven Mile Beach and West Bay, Camana Bay offers a serene yet accessible location, enhancing the focus on professionalism and efficiency.
• Architectural and design excellence: Camana Bay is in an area known for its high standards of architecture and urban planning, thereby reinforcing the Cayman Islands’ reputation as a sophisticated financial jurisdiction. For example, compare the Grand Court to the Commercial Court in London, or – more relevant as a competitor – the Supreme Court of Singapore. George Town feels like the third world.
• Proximity to other businesses: Being in close vicinity to numerous financial and legal firms, further business relocation to Camana Bay would streamline operations, making it easier professionals to manage their schedules efficiently.
In summary, Camana Bay is a modern, carefully planned community designed around walkability, ample amenities, and efficient traffic management—features that set it apart as a prime location for future developments. It offers a balanced mix of restaurants, retail, and green spaces that promote both productivity and client hospitality. Crucially, parking and vehicular flow have been integrated into the master plan, ensuring a smoother experience for tourists and professionals alike.
See https://www.camanabay.com/about/
OMG make it stop!!!
Re: George Town Revitalization – Now Featuring an Obstacle Course for the Public!
Esteemed Citizens and Reluctant Pedestrians,
The Ministry of Silly Walks would like to extend its deepest congratulations to the masterminds behind the George Town Revitalization Project, who have transformed a once-navigable city into a strategic footwork challenge that would make even Monty Python proud.
🚧 ROAD CLOSURES!
🦶 DETOURS!
💃 PEDESTRIAN ACROBATICS!
Yes, as Edward Street shuts down once more, we kindly remind all residents that the art of absurd movement is now a mandatory skill.
Current Guidelines for Traversing George Town:
1️⃣ The Zigzag Slalom Technique
• A skillful mix of dodging barriers, pivoting around scaffolding, and leaping over mysteriously placed traffic cones.
• Best practiced at lunchtime rush hour for maximum frustration.
2️⃣ The Sudden Dead-End Reverse Shuffle
• Walk confidently down what appears to be an open street.
• Realize it abruptly stops in an impassable trench.
• Perform a dramatic 180° pivot while muttering, “Ah yes, revitalization!”
3️⃣ The Two-Way Traffic Tango
• Cars now move unpredictably in both directions.
• Pedestrians must engage in a thrilling dance of survival with vehicles, guided only by sheer willpower and the occasional half-hearted hand signal.
4️⃣ The Road Closure Foxtrot
• New obstacle: closed sidewalks!
• Bonus challenge: unclear detour signs!
• Try not to trip into ongoing construction!
Statement from the Ministry of Silly Walks
We are delighted to see George Town’s roads transformed into a real-world audition for Olympic-level interpretive movement.
💡 Should you master these techniques, please submit your application to the Ministry of Silly Walks, as you may qualify for a prestigious role in our new government-endorsed sport: Competitive Absurd Mobility.
Final Thought: When Does It End?
Ah, yes, the fabled “Final Stages” of construction.
A phrase that has been uttered so often it may as well be Cayman’s new national motto.
Will this project ever be completed? Or is it simply… a lifestyle?
Until then, keep walking, keep dodging, and embrace the chaos.
LOLOLOL
How long is this gonna go on? It is a phenomenal waste of money, brick pavers on roads that are gonna be driven on. You can tell it’s an election year.
The construction in George Town has been ongoing for over a year, and it has primarily harmed foot traffic to the stores on Cardinall Ave. Retailers are struggling to receive deliveries, as the roads are frequently closed and blocked.
Additionally, there is a lack of control over parking, leading to congestion as everyone feels entitled to park in front of all the stores, which is unacceptable. The duration of this construction is excessive; rather than revitalizing the area, it is harming businesses. There is a clear lack of consideration for business owners in this process.
Sir. This is 2025 and our island has many residents, districts, businesses and vehicles. Contrary to your belief tourist buy a minimal on land. Our businesses in town are supported by residents. Now that the parking is gone. What are their options? personal drone, helicopter or boat?
slow road to nowhere.
fingers crossed for more solar powered benches!!!(only in cayman….zzzzzzzzzzzzzz)
They can revitalize George Town until the cows come home, but as long cruise ships are in town most locals will not go into George Town unless absolutely necessary. Most businesses are relocating to Camana Bay for more modern amenities and to also avoid the daily cruiser circus. So for whom is this revitalization for?
I have no problems with the road closure to do work. But there must have been a better / safer way to route the traffic – using Cardinal Ave, Harbour Drive, Fort St, Edward St, as a giant loop – than reversing the long-habituated one-way Shedden Rd & Main St.
Can’t wait to enjoy this enhanced space. I’ll take a leisurely stroll around the area, mourn the loss of Bread and Chocolate, then maybe go look at terrible jewelry, then treat myself to a cheap t-shirt. After that, trudge in the heat to wherever I had to park my car, likely some distance. Not forgetting to keep a couple of dollars ready to give to the local crackheads and alcoholics, who will brazenly beg for such monies.
They should have added a wishing well to the project, too!
Tell me again how is this benefiting Caymanians?