Multi-Storey Building to Replace Block K
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Contact: Chris Satney
Wednesday, 26 March 2008 – Block K of the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) apartments was levelled Sunday March 22nd to make way for a new building.
Despite the need for space to erect the possible five to seven-storey structure, Minister for Planning and Castries Central MP Richard Frederick said the demolished CDC block, which was located at the corner of Coral and Victoria Streets, was not in good condition.
The minister also expressed concern about the condition of the remaining CDC apartment blocks, which he said at some point, will need to be vacated and demolished.
“If you walk through the CDC apartments, you would realise the structural integrity of those buildings have been compromised. Most of the concrete have left the steel, exposing that steel; so it’s a hazard and not safe, as far as I am concerned and as far as engineers are concerned, for human habitation,” Mr. Frederick said.
An unnamed group of investors has expressed their willingness to partner with the Planning Ministry and the National Housing Corporation in realising the success of the project.
“The bottom floor hopefully will be a mini-mall/shopping plaza. There may be some residential units in there but they will not be for rent but rather for sale. There will be offices as well—hopefully the General Post Office will be moved here. We are working along the lines of developing Castries in its entirety,” he said.
Workmen wore protective clothing in order to remove the remaining amounts of asbestos on the site before the actual demolition. Tenants, who occupied the structure, were relocated to available apartments within other CDC blocks. |
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