Dismissing rumours suggesting the site's sale to a private developer for EC $5 million, Minister Frederick clarified that the land still belongs to the Castries Constituencies Council. At present, he adds, the area will be fenced for citizen safety.

“We will maintain the hoarding in that area. We have already applied for DCA approval to erect fencing around the perimeter of the property. We will use it as a temporary car park which lends itself for ease of use if and when a proper development plan is conceived. It will be a paid car park managed by the Castries City Council,” Frederick informed.

Contrary to the rumours, the building site has not been sold. “We heard the naysayers [say] that the government sold  the CDC for $5 million and that we were in a hurry to get rid of the tenants. I'm happy to report that the tenants were totally on board. All of them complied, they did what they had to do. We facilitated a very smooth process and I want to commend them for that,” Frederick says.

Moving forward, the government will conduct an audit of the structural integrity of the remainder of the CDC Blocks. “We now have to examine the structural integrity of those buildings,” he said.

This new car park is another addition to parking regulations instituted by the CCC. In September, the CCC erected parking metres in strategic areas around the capital. Once operational, citizens will be able to purchase parking tickets.