Published: Friday 17th November, 2017
By: Contributing Editor
SKN PULSE – The construction of the new $8.5 million dollar Treasury Building has been met with some resistance. The Nevis Historical and Conservation Society i, (NHCS)n a letter penned to the Department of Physical Planning in February outlined concerns about size, scale and height.
Such concerns were posted through Facebook via their active NHCS page.
Photo Caption: Design of the proposed new Treasury building
With the unqiue setup of Charlestown, the NHCS proposed that the spot where construction is ongoing should be left open as a public square or used to house retail stores so as to attract persons to the town. The return on investment, (ROI) would be an increased GDP.
With the ongoing work, the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society is worried that the building as proposed would negatively impact the application to have Charlestown recognized with World Heritage status.
However, while their concerns were heard construction has already started.
Deputy Premier, Hon. Mark Brantley would have met with four members (4) of the NHCS on Thursday 11th November. Brantley highlighted the meeting as he was one of the first persons to comment on the post which created immediate buzz on social media.
He stated: ” I am saddened that after what I thought was an excellent meeting with 4 members of the NHCS just on Thursday where we discussed these issues and I promised to get back to them as to the way forward that this has been taken to social media”. Further he said, “The NHCS is an important voice on these matters and I have committed that their input will always be sought and respected.
Brantley was quick to add though that, “the NHCS is not the only voice and that too must be borne in mind”.
