After 30 years of planning work is set to begin on the San Fernando waterfront project with the construction of a sea-view restaurant and the beautification of King's Wharf. Although no money has been allocated in the 2013 budget for the project, San Fernando mayor Dr Navi Muradali said funding would come from the Ministries of Local Government and Tourism.
On Wednesday, Muradali and Tourism Minister Stephen Cadiz toured the proposed site for the project which stretched from Hatter's panyard, Lady Hailes Avenue to the Vistabella trainline community. Muradali said yesterday an agreement was reached for work to start and it would be done by the San Fernando City Corporation.
He said soil-testing and geological surveys already have been undertaken and notices for tenders already have gone out. Muradali added: "We toured the entire waterfront area from the Hatter's panyard to the end of the trainline in Vistabella. "Mr Cadiz shed his thoughts on some of the projects that could be done by the San Fernando City Corporation and also indicated the Ministry of Tourism would review our plans, and would assist where feasible. "
Despite there being several designs drafted by a Cabinet-appointed committee, headed by San Fernando West MP Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, and another from former mayor Marlene Coudray, he said those plans have been modified to bring about a comprehensive design to benefit the city.
Muradali said the first phase included the enhancement and beautification of 2,600 feet of land from the Hatter's panyard to the King's Wharf sawmill. He said the new structure on King's Wharf would house a wholesale market, a retail market and a restaurant over it.
Muradali said the restaurant may be constructed of glass so that customers would get a beautiful view of the nearby ocean. However, he said, engineers would first have to test the feasibility of the plan. He added: "The whole intent of the development of the waterfront is for people to be able to use it for recreation and leisure.
"Far too many times people in San Fernando have to leave the city to find something to do and we are hoping the development of the waterfront will allow them to use this public space for recreation and leisure. "It will also be good for the local economy because there will also be food concession areas along the waterfront in this first phase. It is all part of the plan to develop San Fernando.
"We have already successfully brought back Harris Promenade to a state where the public can feel comfortable to use it and more so when we install benches in the upcoming week."