And another, more prominent colonial structure is also under imminent threat - not from demolition, but from the elements, including fire. That's the shingle structure at the corner of Regent and South Streets, right across from the Belize Tourism Board headquarters.
It's among the very last of its kind in the country - but it has fallen into a woeful state of disrepair verging on ruin. The mayor says it's complicated because the property is tied up amongst different owners:
Jules Vasquez
"The home at the corner of Regent and South [Street] across from the BTB. We know it's a house of high historical value, but it's gone to hell in a hand basket, as you might say. Is there any plan for that? It has great historical value, one of the very few shingle structure remaining in the country."
Bernard Wagner, Mayor
"Well, you know someone threw something in there a couple of months ago to burn it down, so we have been speaking with Belize Tourism Board, they have some interest in it to really preserve it, but again, its tied up in a lot litigation and a lot of family matters, so it's really hard to move these things across. But, at the city we have to find solutions. We are not here to always complaining. We have to find solutions and we are working on a solution along with the BTB in respect to that one that sits right in front of the BTB office."
