The government of Antigua and Barbuda is moving to tackle the issue of derelict properties in the capital by offering land or property swaps to owners.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that legislative changes will soon be introduced to give the government the authority to address abandoned or neglected structures that have become an eyesore in and around St. John’s.
According to Browne, affected property owners will have the opportunity to negotiate directly with the state.
The initiative is part of a wider effort to beautify and modernize the city, with officials highlighting the negative impact abandoned buildings have on safety, tourism, and business activity.
In the interim, would it be an idea, to see if companies or hotels etc. would like to erect hoardings at a reduced rate, to cover up eyesore wasteland and buildings etc. until matters with the owners are resolved?.
Houston thats a great idea. This is what we should be doing. Pitching ideas and not being unkind
Another big announcement with no clear timeline. How many times have we heard about plans to ‘beautify’ St. John’s, yet the city looks the same? We need action, not promises.
Tourism is the backbone of our economy. Visitors shouldn’t have to walk past derelict properties in the heart of our city. Beautification is long overdue
Derelict buildings didn’t just appear overnight successive governments allowed the city to decay. Now they want to swoop in with legislation instead of first enforcing the laws already on the books.
This could be a win-win if done right: owners get usable land and the city gets rid of derelict eyesores. Fingers crossed the details are handled transparently.
Before swapping people’s properties, maybe fix the garbage problem, repair the roads, and deal with drainage in St. John’s. Beautification is more than just tearing down old structures
Toooooooooooooo many abandoned buildings have been left to rot while dragging down businesses nearby. This initiative is exactly what we need to clean things up.
This is not the first time I’m hearing this but still there still seems to be nothing happening. Make it happen
So the government wants to take people’s land under the guise of development? What guarantees are there that small property owners won’t be forced out while big investors benefit?
This sounds like a land grab dressed up as urban renewal. Transparency will be key, otherwise, it will just fuel more distrust in government projects