Upgrades And Refurbishments At BHC Properties
There will be upgrades and refurbishments at Bermuda Housing Corporation properties with an allocation of $1.6 M has been budgeted for these works as part of the Economic Stimulus Programme, Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch said.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Minister Burch said, “Good afternoon and welcome to Harmony Club.
“The Ministry’s Short Term Economic Stimulus Programme was launched in December 2020. This Economic Stimulus initiative is aimed at providing employment and building opportunities for small to medium sized contractors.
“The project’s selection principles are to maximize the employment of the private sector while providing much-needed refreshing of neglected infrastructure.
“Last week Thursday and Friday, I provided the people of Bermuda with substantive updates on the progress being made with the Ministry of Public Works’ Economic Stimulus Programme.
“On Thursday, the public saw the unveiling of the Bermuda Government’s Molecular Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, which is a completed project under the Economic Stimulus Programme. And last Friday during the House of Assembly, I shared in a Ministerial Statement a Fourth Update on the programme thus far.
“During my statement, I noted that there are 16 projects altogether. Nine projects are ongoing, 5 are completed and 2 projects that have been awarded and are awaiting start dates. There ae several other projects that we are working on that will go out to tender shortly.
“Today, I’d like to highlight another aspect of the Economic Stimulus Programme – a series of ongoing works, upgrades and refurbishments at our Bermuda Housing Corporation properties.
“There are around nine BHC projects that will be under construction.
“An allocation of $1.6 M has been budgeted for these works. The funding is being provided as part of the stimulus programme. You may recall that during the budget debate – there was no funding for housing but we have pushed and convinced the Minister of Finance to provide some funding.
“I should stress that these projects are mostly infrastructure improvements and have not added any further burden to the government operational expenses.
“The BHC projects under the Economic Stimulus Programme are as follows:
- 1. Ripon Cottage – St Georges. This unit will undergo restorations to its 3 bedroom 2 bath configuration following damage sustained in a fire. Estimate time of the works – 6 months.
- 2. Captain Fox Unit 1 – Repair and renovate building removing the vinyl veneer from the interior walls. This is a 10 week project.
- 3. Here behind me, Block B Harmony Club. Works will start immediately on eight [8] units. This is an 8 – 12 month project.
- 4. The Battery Road Lofts. This project involves has a 10 month time frame.
- 5. 3 Rock Oven Lane – Roof replacement and restoration of the unit back to its 4 bedroom 2 bath Configuration. A four week long project and
- 6. 15 Tommy Fox Road – involves the restoration of the unit back to its 4 bedroom 2 bath Configuration. An eight [8] week project.
“So the $1.6 M in works will produce 17 units – divided as follows:
- 11-Studios
- 1- 1 Bedroom
- 1-2 Bedroom
- 2-3 Bedrooms
- 2-4 Bedrooms
“So as you can see there are substantive works planned aimed at getting our people back to work and the economy back on track. Successive governments have not added to the housing stock in a decade – so we are quite pleased to be announcing these works – that will go some way to providing housing for the needy.
“Quite simply the Ministry’s Economic Stimulus Programme was launched to meet the urgent need of providing stimulus to our economy in order to retain and boost employment numbers in the wake of the economic downturn sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Overall, we are very pleased and encouraged with the response to the Stimulus Programme thus far from both contractors and employees – all of whom want to get to work and help improve our economy. We can’t wait to have these units completed – so that we can provide housing for our people. Thank you.”
“The Ministry’s Short Term Economic Stimulus Programme was launched in December 2020. This Economic Stimulus initiative is aimed at providing employment and building opportunities for small to medium sized contractors.”
In other words, the PLP Government’s plan is to spend its way of the recession … the same plan it has had since 2008.
How many zeros are there in a $B?