Thanks for inviting our ideas. I hope some of those you receive prove to be practical and useful.
My suggestion is that you investigate what can be done to improve the appearance of the South Coast by forcing property owners to either fix or demolish buildings in severe disrepair.
By way of example I refer to the old hotel building adjacent to Blakey's Restaurant in the Hastings area. It looks like a bombed-out war zone. The ruined building appears to be beyond repair and of no historical importance. It might even be dangerous. If it were demolished the area could become useful and attractive. Parking and a picnic area adjacent to the boardwalk perhaps? When and if the land gets sold the new construction will be a bit simpler because the demolition is done.
I feel that owners have a responsibility to society to maintain their appearance of their properties, especially in high traffic areas which significantly affect the image of the island. If they fail to do so then I believe the government should have the right to take appropriate action to force their hand or take over the property.
I hope this is useful. Thanks for your consideration.
Jim Satterthwaite
- Existing buildings that are currently empty and falling or already fallen into disrepair need to be renovated and put into use. No new buildings should be built before all these unused buildings have been put to proper use. Examples include the old library and court building on Pinfold Street and the old BWA suite of buildings on the Pine East West Boulevard (maybe Rihanna could purchase one if she decides to invest in Barbados).
- Existing projects that are in abeyance need to be revived. No new projects should be undertaken until these have been finished. Examples include 1) the recently started project to build condominiums at the old Plantation Tropical Spectacular site when the project to build condominiums at the sandy Beach site – mere minutes away – is in abeyance and 2) plans to build a Hyatt Hotel on Brown’s beach when the project to build the Harlequin hotel on the old Alamanda Hotel site is in abeyance.
by
Stephanie Hunte
Agree on this one. We have far too many dead construction sites on this island. Everything is started and nothing gets finished by many. I think a penalty system should be put in place. If a building permit is issued it should have an expiry date and if not finished by then a new permit needs to be taken out for extension and if not finished a penalty is issued. This will prevent people from having raw buildings sitting there for years to come.
Furthermore, I think a house/building should have the last building inspection before people are allowed to move in (called an occupancy permit) this would include the outer finish of the building (no raw bricks) and everything has to be "safe", no openings without railings etc. etc. - This island has too many ugly sites with buildings unfinished and rotting for years.
Another idea I have is that the Government needs to create a Public Properties Maintenance Department to conduct maintenance on all public owned buildings. As it stands we build new buildings to house various agencies and then the buildings are left unmaintained which in the long run will cost us much more to fix the problems
by Constantius Fontenelle
Congratulations to new Government.
I know this topic relates to buildings, but I would like the Government to re-instate the lot debushing programme as there are too many vacant, overgrown lots which are safety and health hazards. This was done by the previous administration and I think to re-introduce an improved version would contribute to the well-being of our nation.
I appreciate that this matter falls within the Ministry of Health and or Environment, and would ask that the relevant authorities liaise with the Environmental Health Offices to track the cases and act on them.
Thank you
The current system of pursuing land owners to clean their own lots will not work, whilst we the neighbours suffer - grateful for your attention.
I have had many ideas and was intent on writing them all down.
However I have decided to do this piece by piece.
There are many abandoned properties across the island.While I am not aware of the status of many of them.I suggest that an inventory be taken of these properties that are delinquent in taxes .After contacting the responsible parties if there is no response within a reasonable period of time these properties should be auctioned.The stipulation being that they must be renovated within a set period of time.I have seen stately abandoned homes in Port-au-Prince.We should not allow this.
There should be a moratorium on new building on the beach side of the roads.Possibly limiting the height of such buildings .The view of the ocean is very important. This was done in early planning in Santo Domingo city
New properties should include solar panels with a tax benefit to the owner. While private enterprise is to be fostered,the government could initially distribute these panels at cost.Cost will include all costs to deliver to consumer.
The examples that I have given are just observations of the specific issue and nothing else.
Respectfully Submitted
Wayne W St.Hill DDS, MAGD
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