First phase of the Red House's renovation has started with work on the southern Chamber roof and the entire restoration project is expected to be completed by December 2014, Urban Development Corporation of T&T chairman Jearlean John has confirmed.
John gave an update on the situation as Udecott yesterday finalised the process for recruitment of an historical consultancy firm to assist the project. While work on the roof is currently the focus, John said, other major construction works would commence by October 2012, after the engagement of a construction manager in mid year.
Restorative and renovation works of the Red House are therefore expected to be completed by December 2014. The budget to complete the job will be based on the designs produced by the historical consultant working on the project and costing provided by the soon-to-be-engaged construction manager.
Udecott yesterday stated costs for the roofing phase. The renovation and restoration of the Red House has been prioritised by Government which intends to return the Parliament-from the current location at the Waterfront on Wrightson Road location-to the Red House and ensure it remained the seat of the legislature.
The Red House, which dates from 1846, was destroyed by fire in 1903 during the Water Riots. A year later, the rebuilding process began. It was opened to the public in 1907. The last PNM administration spent $86 million on failed efforts to renovate the Red House. The Parliament moved out of the Red House last September.
Some $15 million was allocated for the work in the 2011 budget but work did not start. Final cost of the entire renovation job is not yet quantified. Canadian input is being obtained for some aspects of the project. So far, the area around the Red House has been cordoned off with coloured galvanised sheet fencing and boasts scaffolding on various sides.
Some trees and the Red House's famous lush green hedges have been cut down to make way for the extensive renovation work. Up to Tuesday night a long container trailer truck was parked alongside the eastern flank of the building for movement of items and equipment.
A Parliament spokesman said Monday that the Clerk of the House and House Speaker were unable to give any word on what was transpiring with the building since it was now in Udecott's hands. The project is expected to include seismic retrofitting of the building to international standards, restoration of the rotunda area in the building including the original fountain and various repair and replacement work.
Yesterday, John said that work pertaining to the roof was the first undertaking in the project. John said much administrative work has been going on behind the scenes to prepare the structure for the renovation. Udecott, in a statement, noted that the current work involved installation of a temporary roof over the South Chamber and Link.
Following a competitive open tender process which commenced in October 2011 and was completed in December 2011, a local firm, Adam's Project Management Company Limited, was awarded a contract for the temporary roof works. Udecott stated that the firm prepared designs which were currently being reviewed with installation of the temporary roof expected to be completed by July 2012.
Some of the other activities commenced and/or completed to date involved engagement of a structural consultant for the temporary roof over the South Chamber and Link (Consulting Engineers Partnership Limited (CEP). A consultant has also been engaged to undertake the seismic retrofit design.
Another consultant has been engaged to design the permanent roof of the Red House. Adam's Project Management Company Limited has also been engaged as Design-Build Contractor of the Temporary Roof for the South Chamber and Link Erection of hoarding on the north side of the Red House.
With regard to the actual restorative works at the Red House, John said invitations were submitted through the local print media for historical consultancy firms to prequalify with Udecott.
Conservationists encouraged
Architect Rudlyn Roberts of the Citizens for Conservation hopes the building's historical elements will be respected. "It's great that it is being restored. That's all we ever wanted. Right now it looks like an orphan," Roberts said. "It is a rehabilitation where all the historical elements will be respected and restored and original materials on the exterior particularly will be retained or rebuilt and restored to original quality and the spaces on the inside will be adapted to modern use."
Roberts said she expected the project would be a sensitive rehabilitation where as far as possible, original materials would be used. Roberts said her only concern was that whoever occupied the Red House next would not allow it to lapse into the state that it deteriorated to.
Roberts said, "Once it is occupied again there must be a proper maintenance plan. It would also be best that the Parliament offices alone be located at the Red House rather than having different agencies in the complex since it has historically been perceived as the seat of Parliament."