Tourism Minister and Member of Parliament for St John’s Rural North, Charles Fernandez, says the ongoing efforts to redevelop and revitalise St. John’s must be driven by residents’ needs first, not solely by tourism considerations.

Speaking at the national consultation on the redevelopment of the capital on Wednesday night, Fernandez stressed that while tourism remains critical to the national economy, the transformation of St. John’s is fundamentally about improving quality of life for Antiguans and Barbudans.

“This is not just about uplifting St. John’s for tourists. This is for us,” Fernandez said, noting that he and several senior government officials grew up in the city and have a personal connection to its streets and communities.

The Tourism Minister commended Urban Development Minister Rawdon Turner for organising the consultation, describing it as one of the most comprehensive engagements held on the future of the capital. He also praised the strong turnout, saying it exceeded his expectations and reflected growing public interest in partnering with the government on renewal efforts.

St John’s consultation at John E. St. Luce Conference Center (photo by Office of the Prime Minister)

Fernandez highlighted ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Works, and other stakeholders, noting that significant road works have already been completed and that government agencies have been responsive to concerns raised by vendors, taxi operators, and business owners in the city.

He said government is continuing discussions on incentive packages to encourage property owners to upgrade and maintain their buildings, describing private sector participation as essential to the success of the redevelopment programme.

Addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges, Fernandez acknowledged that issues such as open gutters and sewage systems have persisted for decades. He suggested that modern, small-scale sewage and water treatment solutions for individual businesses could provide a practical alternative, given the high cost of installing a central system across the entire city.

Parking and traffic management were also identified as priority concerns. Fernandez revealed that discussions are underway on the possible introduction of a digital parking payment system, using QR codes and software that would allow motorists to pay for parking and receive real-time information on parking restrictions. He said proposals would be taken to Cabinet following consultations with the Transport Board.

The Minister further disclosed that his ministry is working on a comprehensive master plan for St. John’s, focusing on traffic flow, public safety, and coordination with law enforcement to improve accessibility and security for businesses and customers alike.

In the short term, Fernandez said deteriorated garbage bins across the city are expected to be replaced within the coming weeks, following discussions with the Ministry of Health aimed at securing more durable waste-management solutions.

Reflecting on the transformation already achieved at the port area, Fernandez said the contrast between the derelict cargo port of the past and the modernised waterfront today demonstrates the government’s commitment to St. John’s. He noted that hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested to improve the city’s first impression for visitors and residents alike.

The commitment and the will are there,” Fernandez said, adding that the success of the redevelopment effort will ultimately depend on sustained collaboration between government, property owners, and the wider community.