Restoration work being undertaken by the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott) since last October at the country's most distinctive landmark in Port-of-Spain, the Red House, has cost taxpayers $18.6 million.
Work completed so far includes dilapidation survey of doors, windows, exterior and skirting, as well as surveying of its roof, said Udecott's media manager, Roxanne Stapleton-Whyms in response to questions from the Sunday Guardian pertaining to restoration of the Red House, which began five months ago under Udecott.
In 2011, the People's Partnership Government announced that taxpayers had spent a whopping $200 million over an eight-year period on the restoration of the historic building. The project during that period was managed by the National Insurance Property Development Company (Nipdec).
Last year, however, then Trade and Industry minister Stephen Cadiz said Government would have to fork out an additional $200 million to complete the restoration, bringing the figure close to half a billion dollars when work is completed in 2015.Cadiz said ad-hoc renovations over the years had resulted in a number of problems, mainly modifications of the building's original design, while there was also a lack of maintenance, leaks in the roof, insect infestation and deterioration of its architectural structure.
The restoration led to Parliament being relocated from the heart of the city to Tower D at the Waterfront, Port-of-Spain, in September 2011.
Joint venture partnership
Stapleton-Whyms explained that following a competitive tender process, a team comprising technical representatives of "the client, independent consultants and Udecott selected a joint venture partnership of the firms Bernards Mackay Architects of Trinidad and Tobago and Donald Insall Associates of the UK for the design consultancy of the project."
The estimated cost of the project, Stapleton-Whyms said, would not be prudent to disclose, but explained that Udecott had spent $18.6 million (VAT inclusive) on restoration to date.Last March, Udecott's chairman Jearlean John said the first phase of the restoration had started with work on the southern chamber roof.
Initially the project was scheduled to be completed by December 2014, but Stapleton-Whyms said the project is expected to be handed over "by the first quarter of 2015 and within the estimated budget."Stapleton-Whyms said that under John "everything is scrutinised and above board."
Udecott's Web site stated that the Red House external structure will be restored to its original grandeur while provisions will be made to retrofit the interior to adapt it for office space and use by the Government.It also says efforts will be made to ensure that the structure conforms to modern structural, electrical, plumbing and life safety codes.
Improvements will include:
�2 Landscaping which will include access areas for disabled people
�2 Incorporation of security devices into new landscaping
�2 Approximately 25 parking spaces for government officials
�2 Restoration and/or repair of masonry, doors, windows and roof
�2 Rebuilding of access routes, including walkways, curbs, and storm drainage
�2 Offices for the Prime Minister on the first floor, and for staff of the OPM on the ground floor
�2 Conference and meeting rooms
�2 A new museum of Parliament
�2 Restoration of the main entrance, with security control and public bathrooms
�2 Provision of a service and passenger lift.
Architect: It is going to be tough
Architect Rudlyn Roberts, of the Citizens for Conservation group, said in the interest of the taxpayer, the public ought to be given an update on work done thus far."Whether or not that is done really depends on the political directorate and what instructions they have. I don't know what instructions they have about the project. I am sure the public would love to know what is happening and where they have reached."
Roberts said actual restoration work had not started."All they have been doing is putting up the temporary roof."Roberts had described the initial December 2014 deadline date for the project as "very tight."She said the public would just have to wait and see how Udecott intends to manage the project."It is going to be tough."
Progress report
Stapleton-Whyms indicated that Udecott's contractors have been working steadfastly to remove slate and perform selective interior demolition to allow for the continuation of other works, such as dilapidation survey. She gave a progress report of work done in the last five months, stating that all was going according to plan.
�2 Surveys of exterior rendering, interior perimeter walls, skirting, internal walls, stairs and metalwork-50 per cent.
�2 Design work-30 per cent.
�2 Floors-15 per cent
�2 Interior of the south chamber-20 per cent .
She explained that the work has been ongoing an that the interior of the Red House has been "gutted," which explains why it looks like there was a bombing.Asked if the temporary roof had been installed, Stapleton-Whyms wrote: "Yes, the temporary roof is 100 per cent complete."
Click here to check out Raquel La Roche's Red House restoration photoblog