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By Latrishka Thomas
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Where crumbling wooden houses once stood at Booby Alley, 150 new homes have been built for families. Pelican Court was officially handed over on Thursday, with Prime Minister Gaston Browne announcing that he has requested 300 additional homes from China.
“I’ve already written to the People’s Republic of China, requesting an additional 300 condominium units to be built at Perry Bay,” Browne told the crowd gathered at the ceremony in Point.
Browne said 100 homes have already been agreed upon — 50 in Bolans and 50 in Barbuda — and work on those should start “within a matter of 60 to 90 days.”
For people who lived through the difficult years at Booby Alley, the day was personal. “I feel great, very great, because we suffered a lot,” one woman said. “I’m looking forward to moving in.”
Another resident welcomed the development, while one man was more reserved. “They alright, but they are a little close up,” he said.
Pelican Court comprises 150 condominium-style homes in nine buildings designed to withstand storms. The EC$50 million project was funded by a grant from the Chinese government.
China’s Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, Jiang Wei, formally handed over the project and described it as a gift for Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th anniversary of independence. “I am delighted to present this birthday gift to the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” she said.
The road to Thursday was not smooth. Clarence Pilgrim, who chaired the project committee, said the work faced “protests, legal actions, difficult negotiations, misinformation, and the sensitive work of relocation.” He said some committee members and workers were at one point subjected to verbal abuse and pelted with stones and bottles. Residents were moved to apartments around St John’s while the homes were built, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays.
Browne said the plan to transform the area goes back to 1999. “Promise made, promise kept,” he said, adding that those words are “the ethos that governs my administration.”
On the allocation of the homes, the Prime Minister said people who owned property at Booby Alley will receive a new unit at no extra cost. “Those who were resident here, held and owned homes here, they will be given a replacement condo as a swap without any additional costs,” he said. He said each condominium is valued at about $350,000, and others may qualify for mortgages of about $150,000, based on their ability to pay.
He said allocations have begun on paper, but landscaping and the installation of utility meters must be completed first. He hopes residents can begin moving in by January.
Browne also set out strict rules for residents. “Under no circumstances will any gambling be allowed in this community. Under no circumstances will any narco-trafficking be allowed,” he said. He said those who break the rules will be removed, littering will not be tolerated, and a monthly maintenance fee of about $50 is expected.
“The last thing we want is a few years from now that we end up with a glorified ghetto,” he said.
Kem Hodge has been appointed facilities manager.