The cruise terminal at the Port, it's being advertised as the high water mark of modern investment: US $50 million backed by a 20 year guarantee from a reputable international company in Carnival Corporation. Of course, the downside is that another equally reputable corporation, which is almost as wealthy Royal Caribbean cruise lines is opposing the project.
But that conflict aside if the cruise terminal project does get past its significant legal hurdles, there will still be something standing in the way. And that something is Jane Usher Boulevard and residents whose homes stand clearly in the way of the proposed development. The long and short of it is that they have to move to make way for 30-acre terminal. Today we found out what's planned for the residents.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
If all goes as planned, construction on the Carnival Cruise ship terminal will begin shortly and while for most of those living in Port Loyola, it means new jobs and more visibly - development of the area. But while that's the hope for most, there are 35 families who have an uncertain future. That's because there are plans to turn the Jane Usher Boulevard into a true boulevard and that means all those residents living adjacent to the proposed terminal area will be relocated. Area representative Anthony 'Boots' Martinez is the person who has to make sure it goes well, and he stressed that it needs to be done calmly and without hysteria.
Hon. Anthony 'Boots' Martinez, Port Loyola Area Representative
"We need to find lots for those people in Port Loyola and issue the lots in regards to title and help them relocate. But that is just the initial stages in regards to where they want to go in regards to that project."
"We need to negotiate properly with people. You need to make sure that two wrongs don't make a right and you need to make sure that the humanitarian aspect of what lands situation is settled. You can't just go and bulldoze people house and so. You need to negotiate with people and I think that the onus is to find land for the people. I think that is well underway in terms of looking at that situation but the negotiation continues and when that is completed, the people will know exactly what..."
"I have been in consultation with some of the from the area in regards to the lands situation."
But this situation is nothing new. Martinez says that while the area has been allowed to be settle in a haphazard fashion, the original intention for this stretch of land was to have it as part of a wide boulevard. He says everyone that lives here knows this.
Hon. Anthony 'Boots' Martinez,
"They have 38 people on the Jane Usher Boulevard side. I don't know if you are conscious that the street was Jane Usher Boulevard and initially when they put in the street they didn't put in the boulevard so people went to squat on the next side."
"That was designed as a boulevard. As you rightly said the name dictates that from that subdivision was put in between 1989 and 1991 the design was for Jane Usher Boulevard - a two-lane boulevard. That was originally there so it is not anything new where you are looking to develop. People knew that was the boulevard and obviously they weren't conscious when the boulevard would come about."
And now that time has come and boots says that the move is welcomed because tourism will convert this area into a metropolis humming with activity.
Hon. Anthony 'Boots' Martinez,
"It definitely in my view is a move due to the new development and in reality when you look at the situation, if you want development I think the boulevard in my view is necessary because that is an outlet to the tourism village that will be going behind there."
But until these 35 families who've made their lives on half of the proposed boulevard are taken care of, the need for the development will have to take a back seat.
Barring any legal challenge, construction is expected to begin in the next few months.