Absolutely not!’ Smith rejects Vanterpool’s admin complex plans

Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development Lorna Smith has rejected Mark Vanterpool’s proposal to transform the Ralph T O’Neal Administration Complex into a commercial facility rather than return public servants to the building.

Smith, speaking on the Talking Points radio programme on Monday, said government ministries and public officers should return to the reconstructed complex instead of remaining scattered across the territory.

Asked whether she supported Vanterpool’s proposal, Smith responded: “Absolutely not. I think we should go back into the admin complex.”

“It was built for that purpose. And rather than having people all over scattered, all public servants, I should say, and ministries scattered all over the territory, including as far as Fish Bay come straight down to nearly Prospect Reef and so on, it’s important that …as many people as possible are in the same building,” Smith stated.

She argued that bringing government offices together would improve interaction among public officers.

“You know, you achieve synergy, I should say. And you need to be in closer contact physically. So I do not support that at all,” Smith added.

Vanterpool, leader of the People’s Leadership Movement, recently proposed using the ground floor of the complex for a small mall with spaces for new businesses and converting upper sections into conference facilities and hotel rooms. He argued that commercial development at the site could generate economic activity in Road Town after government offices close.

He also proposed decentralising government operations, suggesting that ministries could be placed on Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. Vanterpool argued that spreading public offices across the territory could generate economic activity in other communities.

Smith agreed that Road Town needed more night-time economic activity but proposed other ways of achieving it. She suggested that properties near Wickham’s Cay could be developed, including as boutique hotels, and said the expected introduction of gaming could also increase activity.

The administration complex has been largely out of service since Hurricanes Irma and Maria damaged it in 2017, forcing ministries and departments into rented accommodation. Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said earlier this year that the government remained committed to reopening the complex in 2027, with major interior works moving towards implementation.

Commentator and political hopeful Cindy Rosan proposed converting it into a national museum, library and cultural events centre, but the suggestion drew opposition from residents who argued that the complex should remain the centre of government administration.