Final preparations are now underway for the official opening of the landmark Booby Alley Redevelopment Project, one of the most ambitious urban renewal initiatives ever undertaken in Antigua and Barbuda.
The project is the realization of the vision of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who committed to transforming one of the nation’s most vulnerable informal settlements into a modern residential community that restores dignity and significantly improves the quality of life for hundreds of families.
On Friday, Minister Rawdon Turner chaired a high-level coordination meeting with the China Aid Housing Team, contractors, officials from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), the Public Works Department, and other key stakeholders as work enters its final phase ahead of the project’s inauguration.
Minister Turner, who was appointed to oversee the completion of the Booby Alley Redevelopment Project, as well as the China Aid Housing Projects in Bolans and Barbuda, received detailed updates from each agency on the status of outstanding works and operational readiness.
The meeting focused not only on the completion of physical infrastructure but also on ensuring the long-term functionality and sustainability of the new community. Among the key issues discussed were parking management, sewage treatment, garbage collection and disposal, landscaping, public lighting, road infrastructure, and the overall management and maintenance of the residential facilities once occupied.
Minister Turner requested comprehensive progress reports from all participating agencies and contractors, along with firm timelines for the completion of outstanding works. He advised that the information will be compiled into a detailed report for presentation to Cabinet next Wednesday.
“The successful delivery of this project requires every stakeholder to complete their responsibilities on schedule,” Turner told the meeting. “Our focus is not simply on opening the development, but on ensuring residents move into a community that is safe, functional, properly managed and built to serve them for generations.”
The Booby Alley Redevelopment Project stands as one of the most significant examples of cooperation between Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China. Constructed through a grant from the Government of China, the development represents a major investment in affordable housing and modern infrastructure without adding to the country’s debt burden.
The redevelopment has transformed the former Booby Alley community into a vibrant neighbourhood featuring hundreds of modern apartment units, upgraded roads and sidewalks, dedicated parking facilities, children’s play areas, landscaped recreational spaces, modern utility infrastructure, drainage systems, and enhanced public amenities designed to create a safe, comfortable and sustainable living environment.
I really hope the tenants maintain the standard of the place. We know how people can be