Photos & Videos: Harbour View Homes
There was a ribbon cutting ceremony this afternoon [Sept.3] to mark the completion of Phase 1 of the Bermuda Housing Corporation’s [BHC] Harbour View Village in St. David’s.
Pictured below: Rev. Alex Smith; BHC Project Officer Derreck Bean; new homeowners/lottery winners Serene Cartwright and her daughter Nihya-Persia Cartwright-Walker, Joanne Wellman and Vonika Washington; Deputy Premier Derrick Burgess; BHC Board Director Leslie Lowe; Minister Walter Roban; and the BHC architect and in-house project manager for overseeing Harbour View Village, Keino Furbert-Jacobs.
The H&H Gombeys opened the celebrations, and both Minister of Public Works Derrick Burgess and Minister of Environment, Planning & Infrastructure Strategy Walter Roban spoke, after being welcomed by Major Barrett Dill. Some of the new owners were present, with some receiving their keys at today’s ceremony.
Deputy Premier Derrick Burgess:
In March of this year the first building within Phase 1 opened, and today’s ceremony celebrated the completion of all four of the buildings within Phase 1.
The four buildings are named after prominent St. David’s Islanders; Harold Millett, Hilton C Richardson, Constance Mello and Arthur Pitcher Sr. They contain the first 58 units of a total of 86 units to be built.
Prospective owners were given the chance in a housing lottery to purchase the units for $199,000, and in early 2005 Government assumed responsibility for the project from Bermuda Homes for People.
H&H Gombeys perform:
In 2007, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at Southside, and soon after a 540,000-gallon underground storage tank containing oil and sludge was discovered, which caused the project to be delayed.
At the ribbon cutting today Minister Roban said, “In any country, providing affordable housing is considered a top priority… and as the Minister responsible for Housing I can assure you that the team at BHC, who are in the business of offering a hand up rather than hand outs, are constantly working to ensure safe, comfortable and affordable housing is available to all Bermudians in need.”
Minister Walter Roban:
Minister Roban’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon everyone,
Deputy Premier Burgess, Board of Directors, members of the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC), residents of Harbour View Village and media welcome and thank you for being here today to help recognize this tremendous milestone for the Harbour View Village Development – the completion of Phase 1 of this project. I would also like to extend my deepest thanks to the H&H Gombey Troupe for beginning the proceedings today.
You will recall that in March of this year we celebrated the opening of the first building within Phase 1 (Building #3 or “Richardson Manor”). Now, today, we can boast the completion of all four of the buildings within Phase 1…which I am proud to say came in on budget.
As many of you may know, all of the buildings have been named after prominent St. David’s Islanders… Building 1, ‘Pitcher Manor’ was named after Mr. Arthur Pitcher, Sr. who was a respected businessman, being the owner of Pitcher’s Variety Store.
Building 2, ‘Millett Manor’, was named after Mr. Harold Millett who was the Deputy Pilot Warden with Marine and Ports for many years; a well-known cricketer for St David’s County Cricket Club; the President of St David’s County Cricket Club; and also the President of the Eastern Counties Cricket Association for 15 years.
Building 3, ‘Richardson Manor’, was named after Mr. Hilton C Richardson – a noted educator and Principal of St David’s School from 1910 to 1957.
And, finally, Building 4, ‘Mello Manor’ was named after Mrs. Constance Mello who was a faithful member of St Luke’s Church for 66 years; the Minister of Evangelism with St Luke’s Church for 55 years; and a recipient of Queen’s Certificate in 2008 for her service to the community.
And I think it is worth mentioning here the poignancy of the fact that these buildings – made for Bermudians – were also designed by and named after Bermudians; a fact of which I am most proud.
But getting to this point we are at today has certainly not been without its share of hurdles. In early 2005 Government assumed responsibility for this project from Bermuda Homes for People.
Two years later, in May 31 2007, a groundbreaking ceremony was held here at Southside attended by the former Premier and current Minister of Education the Hon. Dame Jennifer Smith; Former Minister of Housing Sen. the Hon. Lt. Col. David A. Burch, Board members and some of the lottery winners.
Immediately following the groundbreaking a 540,000-gallon underground storage tank containing oil and sludge that no one knew was here was discovered. Its removal and remediation resulted in a delay in the delivery of the project.
I must note as did my predecessor Col. David A. Burch, that there have been numerous occasions when this project could have fallen through due to lack of funding, and various site challenges.
But we were not deterred and sought every means to bring the project to fruition, knowing the importance for the Bermudian families who had been chosen in the lottery and were looking forward to owning their little ‘piece of the rock’.
What you see here today in these four buildings are the first 58 units of a total of 86 units to be built.
- Pitcher Manor, Building 1 contains twelve (12) 3-bedroom units
- Millet Manor, Building 2 contains sixteen (16) 2-bedroom units
- Richardson Manor, Building 3 contains fourteen (14) 4-bedroom units
- Mello Manor, Building 4 contains sixteen (16) 2-bedroom units
… all of which will soon be fully occupied
Following move-ins in March, there continues to be staggered move-in of lottery winners, with different dates for different families to avoid congestion, so although all of the 58 families have not yet moved in, they are all braced to do so.
And from what I have heard the families presently occupying the premises are ecstatic with their units, some with spectacular views overlooking the St. Georges Harbour and the old town.
Let me now thank the Bermuda Land Development Company Limited for working with the Bermuda Housing Corporation in facilitating construction of these buildings and their integration into the Southside infrastructure.
I would also like to thank the builders of these four buildings – Greymane Contracting Limited and Burt Construction Limited.
Let me also pay tribute to Mr. Keino Furbert-Jacobs, the architect and in-house project manager for overseeing this development. And now indulge me if you will in a quick moment of thanks and praise for BHC – as without them this would not be possible.
In any country, providing affordable housing is considered a top priority… and as the Minister responsible for Housing I can assure you that the team at BHC, who are in the business of offering a hand up rather than hand outs, are constantly working to ensure safe, comfortable and affordable housing is available to all Bermudians in need.
BHC currently houses 628 clients through various programs – BHC owned properties, private sector rentals, rooming houses and emergency housing.
There has been a long list of successful Government Housing initiatives through BHC – and I will not name them all here today – suffice to say that they have been numerous, and that BHC should be credited for all that they do to ensure that all Bermudians have a roof firmly over their heads.
And finally, I also wish to thank the former Minister responsible for Housing Lt. Col. David A. Burch who stated time and time again throughout this project that he wanted nothing to hinder the progress of the erection of Harbour View Village. His perseverance and determination is an inspiration to us all.
More than housing, this project represents genuine economic empowerment – another demonstration of this Government’s unwavering commitment to making homes available to first time homeowners at prices that are simply unavailable in the ordinary marketplace.
It now gives me great pleasure to call upon current Pastor of Heard Chapel AME and a born and bred St. David’s Islander Rev. Alex Smith for the blessing.
Thank you
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So what was/is the budget allocation for these initial 58 units and the remaining 28?
What about helping the middle class single women who do not qualify for these price range homes and cannot afford to purchase a home on their home at the bank. We are the ones who are contributing largely to this economy and get nothing back.
@ Questions .. I feel you ; Could I suggest that if you are not involved directly in politics , would you consider getting involved so that a broader housing and government funded financially assisted plan be formulated . The bricks and mortar are already in existence , now financing or the access to affordable financing needs be put in place .
While I find it unfortunate that you are unable to purchase your own home in this tough society, let’s keep in mind that Government is not obligated to build EVERYONE a home. What they did here was something that they cannot do for every single person who deserves it in Bermuda. No one has that much money. Some Governments in other parts of the world don’t even provide things we take for granted here (i.e. education, healthcare, etc.) While I sympathize with any single mother struggling in this day and age, let’s try not to rely on the government for everything. Keep in mind that there ARE some middle class single mothers in these new homes who also contribute to the economy; but not everyone can win.
So let’s just be happy that some people CAN have a better life as a result of this housing initiative, even if it isn’t you or me. And remember, jealousy won’t help anything.
Best wishes to you.
32n64w – that is an excellent question. While helping families to own a home is a noble cause, I have to question whether this Government should be undertaking such a project, of buying homes for private citizens. We know that the value of a condo in Bermuda is well over the $199,000 that government is getting for each unit – the new Grand Atlantic condos on south shore are starting at around $600,000, I think. That means the TAXPAYER is footing the bill for the remaining cost of these Harbour View homes – which will no doubt be a staggering amount, especially considering the multitude of delays this building project has had.
On another note, I think it is sad to see that Government is buying homes for some people, yet taking a home away from the most vulnerable in our society (does Sunshine League ring a bell?)
Please stop being so ungrateful and selfish. It has already been announced that the Govt. did not go over budget for these homes. Many new homes have been built for middle class hardworking Bermudians. They pay taxes too, you know. It’s not like you had to pay thousands of dollars out of your pocket so that middle class families and single mothers could have their own home to sleep in at night. You are at NO loss as a result of MORE BERMUDIANS OWNING HOMES.
I wonder what PLP supporters, particularly in St Georges & St Davids area are thinking now as they have seen the value of their property drop, their rents drop & having many rental units stand empty, sometimes for years now, thanks to PLP management of the economy & attitude towards IB has caused a drastic drop in potential renters?
Now they have these units for sale, subsidised by their tax dollars, on the market. Who profited by the construction of these buildings? Screwed again by your own people.
When will you learn?
Nothing like inexpensive purpose built homes constructed by PLP insiders for PLP supporters in a marginal constituency.
That last bit sounds racist. “Screwed by your own people”? WTF?? If you are white (I hope to god you are not) you have got some F$cking nerve! Would you rather we were screwed by you and your people?
Any plans to expand St David’s Primary and Clearwater Middle Schools to accommodate the children that will be moving into St David’s or did the Pee el Pee not think of that?
You guys are missing the point. Everyone should be entitled to granite counter tops and ocean views.We must look after our less fortunate.
AGREED. ^ That’s one more person that can be happy for someone else.
56 hardworking middle class BERMUDIANS now have their own home to lay in at night, and not a single positive comment here. This country is sinking, and we should all be happy that more Bermudians now own more property. But no, we ungrateful Bermudians complain, complain, and complain. Please be happy about something for once. Why cant we just be happy for these people? Why do we have to put down every positive thing that goes on in this country? Shame on us.
Triangle drifter was right when he said “Screwed by your own people”, he just had the wrong concept. When I say we are being screwed by our own people, I am referring to the comments I see above.
Im sorry, I will correct my attitude. I guess ive been a little grumpy as I have to pay my mortgage and subsidise the 56 middle class families who payed 1/10 the amount I am paying.
You should be a bit grumpy that you bought an overvalued property. The property market is based on a cycle.
@ Shame on Us- I understand where you are coming from. Sometimes the posters can be really negative on here. There is no shortage of things to be negative about these days, depending on your position and your perspective. Having said that, I am happy for the people that were fortunate enough to win the lotto and a home however, there is an undercurrent that is feeding a lot of this negativity. I believe that it is the general suspicion/feeling/evidence that friends of the PLP are somehow benefitting financially whilst the Government is “doing something good”. That creates a great deal of frustration watching a thing happen and feeling powerless to change it since the majority keep voting the PLP back into power. I would consider myself middle class. Being fortunate enough to have clawed myself one class up, it one thing to be competing with other property owners, no issues there. It is another thing entirely to be competing with the Government who is developing properties in a market that is already saturated with vacant places, with my tax dollars. It is unfair and they are manipulating the market, increasing our taxes to do so and the same people in the PLP circle are getting the contracts. That is annoying. Again, I am happy for the people that were fortunate enough to have a home to live in but I am obviously split on it and I believe that there are many other experiencing the same thing.
Firstly, congrats to all the new home owners.
Thank you “shame on us” it is plain to see that some people are not really for Bermuda, but for themselves.
And to “triangle drifter” I could be wrong but I think that that constituency is actually oba (Old Bermuda Ubp) territory. Watch out new ubp.
Good day all,
am im missing something here, wasn’t there a grand opening for this already?
PLP
Loves
Photo-ops
I am happy for the new homeowners BUT I am concerned about the middle class and others that had originally purchased homes and have now lost tenants. We are making some people happy and I am happy for them but my heart goes out to the persons that are trying to rent properties because we may soon have a situation of people losing their homes and their investment in these homes because they cannot afford to pay the mortgage. There are a lot of redundancies, foreigners being sent back which has increased the rental market but we are putting new homes on line. Could we have spent that money on other things for the time being until the recession goes away? I think everyone deserves an opportunity to own a home and I am happy for the individuals.
Driving past today and somewhat surprised, but then shouldn’t be, at the SUVs and other fancy cars in the parking lot. If you can afford an SUV you shouldn’t be allowed to buy one these units. Surely this housing, at the greatly discounted prices, should be offered to those who need them and can’t afford the flash trappings. Is this another situation where certain people are looked after, but those in need are bypassed?
Good day all,
ill try to post this comment again wasn’t there a grand opening for this already?
I’m happy for the folks that got a condo at such a low price, I truly am. It don’t get much better than that.(It does, but that’s my opinion) I know what it feels like to get a new set of keys.
People have asked, ‘What about me/middle class?’, that’s what we do and expect from the government. Do for them, do for me, type of thing.
Sure other tax payers are footing the bill so to speak, including me, who broke the 11th commandment. ‘Thou shall not buy/own a house unless married to a Bermudian’.
If these new house owners go to local shops/shop overseas and spend money to make their house a home that will put money back into the local economy, which is a good thing. I know what that feels like as well, been doing it since Bermuda’s local bank laid off 25 workers. (Sorry guys, just so happened that you lost your job 30 days after I got got refused a loan and closed on my wife’s new home.)
People need to get over what the government is doing for other people and start making their own lives better.
Enjoy your new house/home. I surely enjoy turning my house into my non-BDA wife’s home. I get to buy and setup the A/V and network, I also claimed the basement, I’m having fun each time I pull out my CCs. I’m sure these new home owners feel the same way. Sort of.
A few tips.
Appliances: Buy from overseas. I wish I did. The crap I got last year locally is just that. Crap.
Payments: Save up at least 3 to 6 months worth of expenses, stock up cash, if you don’t you’ll wish you did. Nothing like a car payment/TCD fees and house payment due on the same month.
Buying stuff for your new house: Don’t go crazy. I did that as well and still do, but my 2nd house/home is not in BDA and I don’t need to ship much back, except the TV that was stolen.
Security: Install a security system before your house/home gets robbed. Do that first, it’s too late after someone steals your stuff. I know what that feels like too.
Enjoy your new place. I hope you think about the family who may have to buy it from you in the future.
Side Note: Who watched House Hunters International the other day? I spent over 10G on my kitchen last year and it’s better than what I saw on TV, maybe the rent control commission needs to adjust their rates up or include more higher end properties. My place has got to be worth more than the listed ARV. Is a pool worth that much when the ocean is 5 minutes away?
I still remember the time my family moved into a new place one xmas, it didn’t last long, but the memory does…
Killarblaze.
Still waiting for my comments to be posted. Been 30 mins so far.
Sorry about that, please understand I cannot moderate comments 24/7, at times there are a few minutes delay while I actually go out and get the content itself and post the stories.
Can’t be moderating comments all day and never do any other work and have zero new stories lol. This evening I just nipped out to the accident for a few mins.
Patricia
No need to be sorry, Looks like you need more moderators.
Thanks, appreciate the understanding.