Demolition and site prep approved for new Central Bank HQ

Demolition and site prep approved for new Central Bank HQ
The Central Bank of The Bahamas. (PHOTO: CBOB)

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Central Bank has announced that it has obtained all the necessary regulatory approvals to commence demolition and site preparation for its new headquarters at Royal Victoria Gardens.

According to the Central Bank, it will proceed in this regard over the remainder of 2020.

“In the coming weeks, road closures and other public safety measures will be announced, coordinated in line with the permits granted by the Commissioner of Police and the Ministry of Works,” the bank said in a recent statement.

“The final regulatory approval for site preparation was the environmental clearance from the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP). Under the Environment Planning and Protection Act, 2019, and within the oversight of DEPP, the Bank has the distinction of receiving the first Certificate of Environmental Clearance (#0001) issued by the Department.”

It continued: “This Certificate permits the removal of buildings from the Royal Victoria Gardens in preparation for construction of the Bank’s new premises, and the demolition of the adjacent Post Office Building. It gives regulatory assurances that the Bank has complied with all of the requirements around this process, having submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment, as mandated under the Act to ensure that all work, including demolition, carting, and disposal of non-recyclable refuse are conducted in the most environmentally friendly manner possible.”

The bank has advised that demolition works are scheduled to begin on October 14.