BBC News: Fate Of Cross Island Uncertain

[Written by Jasmine Patterson, Bermuda Broadcasting Co.]

Islanders are encouraged to have their say about the fate of reclaimed land at Cross Island, in the west end.

The West End Development Corporation is mulling what will become of site once the 35th America’s Cup ends next year.

Andrew Dias, General Manager of WEDCo, Andrew Dias, spoke to us after last week’s public consultation meeting on the nine-acre, Dockyard site.

A sub-committee of the WEDCo board is tasked with weighing options and developing a financially viable plan — and ideas from the public will be considered.

In 2009, WEDCo was granted permission to use the reclaimed land for Marine & Ports operations, a boat yard and marine college, but green activists BEST successfully appealed against the plan, calling for a thorough environmental impact assessment.

Cross Island is close to a sensitive eco-system and BEST advocates a sustainable usage that minimizes environmental harm.

Mr Dias counters that Dockyard has been a working site since its inception more that 200 years ago, and “we already have quite a bit of light industrial work being done here”.

WEDCo continues to encourage public feedback about the Cross Island site. See more details at dockyard.com and/or email: marketing@thewestend.bm

Note: Bernews is temporarily helping Bermuda Broadcasting Company by sharing its stories online. The station’s TV equipment is undergoing repair after being hit by lightning.

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