Latest update February 20th, 2025 12:39 PM
$30M required to start rehab works at City Hall
Some $30M is required to commence an initial phase of repair works to City Hall in an attempt to restore the historic building. And the money, according to Public Relations Officer, Royston King, is expected to be secured through a restoration fund which will be launched in a matter of weeks.
So urgent is the need for the repairs at City Hall that the Municipality has announced the closure of its Concert Hall to all public events and activities. According to King, the Council was forced to take the decision at its last statutory meeting after Councillors raised concerns about the physical condition of the building.
It was against this very background, King said, that plans are currently being finalised to launch the restoration fund to carry out urgent repair works and to restore the building to pristine state. “The project will encourage corporations, organisations, groups and individuals to participate in the restoration of City Hall,” King noted.
It is anticipated that the fund will be launched by early August. According to City Engineer, Gregory Erskine, the repairs are estimated to cost some $30M.
City Hall – A heritage site in need of dire repairs
Citizens who need more information on the project, according to King, can contact the Council’s Public Relations Department on telephone numbers 225-2215 or 226-4190 extension 277.
City Hall has been in existence for more than 120 years and has been dubbed the ‘Victorian Exuberance in timber’ and ‘the most handsome building in Georgetown’. It was designed by Father Ignatius Scoles, a trained architect. The foundation stone was laid by Governor, Sir Henry Turner Irving on December 23, 1987 but the building was officially opened on July 1, 1889 by Lord Gormanston.
Just a few months ago, during the observance of Heritage Week, Councillor Patricia Chase-Green, had expressed concern about the physical state of the beautiful building. However, she lamented the fact that “nowadays it is very difficult to find skilled workmen with the ability to replicate the intricate design and to do the artistry needed to preserve this building.” She also alluded to the astronomical cost that such a project will attract; a sum that the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown can ill-afford to fund single-handedly. “The M&CC does not have the finances to restore this building,” she added.
However, she asserted that City Hall and other heritage sites in the city are the responsibility of all citizens, thus a collective approach must be engaged to protect and preserve them. In fact, she highlighted that under the Municipal and District Council Act Chapter 28:01, the Council has the scope to appoint special committees and persons with appropriate talents to assist in such matters.
And given the Municipality’s ongoing financial dilemma and the belief that all stakeholders will be willing to help, Chase Green said, “We are contemplating and were promised sums from different agencies to establish a City Hall Restoration Fund.” This fund, she said, will be managed by a group of persons including the City Mayor and other stakeholders, the Private Sector and citizens.
Mayor Hamilton Green had revealed then too that he had drafted a letter and was optimistic that the powers that be would be supportive in realising this venture.
“We cannot afford to have City Hall disintegrate any further. I have discussed this with Dr. James Rose and I understand that he has already made contact with a competent authority to help us in the restoration process.” Mayor Green underscored that the building cannot be restored by just any engineer as there are a lot of technical aspects that require engineers that are specially trained and qualified to restore heritage sites.
The restoration, according to Chase-Green, is especially important even as the Municipality prepares to celebrate its 121st anniversary this year. Georgetown will this year celebrate 198 years as a city, Chase-Green revealed, as she emphasised the need for citizens to embrace a collective responsibility to restore the city to its former glory. “We are all collectively tasked with the responsibility of restoring the city to the Garden City and not as it is popularly known now as the Garbage City. Every schoolchild, every adult is entitled to the responsibility of keeping their environment clean. You are entitled to the responsibility of helping to restore your heritage.”
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A flawed interpretation of international law
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News – The assertion that “under international law, Venezuela is responsible for... more
CARICOM Nations Should Respond Together To new U.S. Policies
By Sir Ronald Sanders Ambassador to the US and the OAS, Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News-Two Executive Orders issued by U.S.... more
Weekend Cartoon
