Back to the polls! WE Ferry terminal going to public for review
New designs for the West End Ferry terminal have been put into the public domain for a decision on a new façade.
The project, which was introduced to the public by the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) months ago, was met with some level of resistance, largely on the basis of its aesthetics and unknown final cost.
“Right now, the Minister of Communications and Works and the RDA are basically re-introducing the project to the community,” Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said at a recent press conference.
The initial design for the project boasted a look which German design firm, INROS Lackner SE, called organic and futuristic. Construction of the terminal was expected to begin in July of this year for completion by November of 2023.
Public Poll: Select a design
A poll has since been set up on the RDA’s website titled, “Three Options, One Choice. West End Ferry Terminal Design”, asking residents to select their favoured design of the three options.
Two new designs – a Classic Modern and a West Indies option – were added to the original futuristic and organic option for residents to vote on a final look for the design.
The RDA said in its post introducing the poll that it was happy about feedback received on the project during public consultations held in February.
The agency said the primary concern focused on the aesthetics of the building and noted that it now wished to hear from a wider cross-section of the BVI community and get feedback from as many voices as possible in the process.
The internal layout of the building, the agency stated, has received feedback from key stakeholders and the majority of their requirements have been met.
In the meantime, Premier Wheatley said there was a discussion about the design under the previous Premier, Andrew Fahie, and the government has now chosen to reopen that conversation. “Once we’ve selected a design, we can move forward,” Dr Wheatley stated.
Funding
Dr Wheatley said there is approximately $12 million available through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to fund the project.
Premier Wheatley was unable to confirm at the time whether the German firm was paid for the previous design that was not adopted by residents.
The firm was awarded a $1,048,909 contract to provide project design and management services for the rebuild in August of last year.
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Option A
Natalio you are no better than Fahie and you are showing the weakness of the UK to appoint you as leader of this country.
Why so much money . Why does it have to be so elaborate. The emphasis should be on the wharfage space ( Docks) not the terminal building.
We have other things to consider in the country. Natalio what is wrong with you. The project is over priced
Option A. We are in a hurricane zone and option C especially has too much glass although it looks modern. We cannot forget what hurricane Irma did in that area.
Non of the above
None of the above
Where is the design and construction drawings that were prepared by CH2MHill? This design was approved and bid out and met the budget. Only problem, the bidder was not local so the project stopped. You see the local bidders were millions more that the outside the Territory bidder. Sound familiar? Same shit different day. Governor please end this dog and pony show. Slow Andy out of his element and the crooks trying to get back in. It’s in their genes, they can’t help themselves. Perhaps in a couple thousand years they will evolve to be equal to the clears.
Really & truly, three bad options why was space not given in the poll for folks to make a comment/feedback.
They need to go back to the drawing board with consultation from the people. ??!
Option A. Has actual Caribbean design elements, it blends in with the other developments at Sopers Hole, and it looks like a more practical and easier to maintain building.
Option B
Option B
AAAAAAA
On the original poll, Option A was the futuristic, Option B the Modern and Option C the West Indian plan, why are the letters changed now? I had voted for C and definitely not the futuristic design
Would be good to see and review. Good point
Option C
a stone wall structure would be the best way to go , / if properly built , will be stronger than bricks and will start the test of time / plus stone wall looks better and looks more cultural , but hey , I ain’t nobody , in comparison to you rocket scientist
So why so big? Option A looks good but again tell me why its so big and so expensive!
Option B will be the cheapest to build and easiest to maintain. Most importantly though, it appears to be the most hurricane proof of the option. The building just needs to be smaller or more compact by going up a second floor.
Insufficient attention is shown to accommodate small craft, handicap access from the seaside to the larger vessel and smaller vessel areas of the doc. Details of loading and off-loading for local cargo vessel traffic and land side parking also need to be shared.
A is the best
Purple and teal on a ferry terminal? C’mon man! The Germans are of out of their minds and have no clue.
All are terrible.
I totally agree the colors are awful. As mentioned in another comment – stone (although more expensive) would be much better.
Why so big??
Option A is the best so far, as it will blend with the colors, shapes that give balance within the environment. I would like to see the parking for vehicle and accommodation for boats. The prices for these designs and construction needs to be shared with the public .
I am glad some people look at the building material as W/E got a licking with Irma and the only thing standing there was the stone wall.
I believe if this is given to a foreign company , there should be local contractors included, this is only if there is no local experience in the construction of docks/terminals. However, I would prefer to see more than one local contractors in the building of this terminal, it is so that the bread do not go to one house , but more than one contractor get some bread.
Present terminal is fine for domestic JVD ferry and international private yachts and small water taxis. No more international ferries to/from West End.
So what is the link to vote for my preferred option?
Option A or B will be fine
https://bvirecovery.vg/poll/west-end-ferry-terminal/
All options are too big.
Option A.
No to option B because it looks like the admin building and the sea birds will poop over it daily with no run off. nasty.
The road from the beef island to road town should be the first project that needs to be completed,the people who live east end should pay half of their road license let’s see if the government would accept that,,they truth is they don’t care,,because they are living off of taxpayers money..people saying this country is beautiful but the truth is the ocean is where you will find the tourist on a boat,they preferred to be on the water because the ocean is better than the roads in the bvi..you have 12 million to spent on a ferry terminal which doesn’t worth it because you don’t see that much tourist coming their where as you could have spend 1 million to fix east end road and have the vote of people,looks like their is a draw back in finance,putting 3 options on one project simply mean it still have to go on whichever one is chosen,,not everyone is stupid as you think they are!
I agree with the idea of option A, that the building should reflect those on the opposite shore and be unequivocally of the BVI. But the devil is in the detail and what is shown is ugly and out of scale. Why does it completely change style at the right hand side?
Also why is it all enclosed in an air conditioned box? One of our great benefits is that we can do outside what others cant. Look for example at our leading restaurants , they dont have doors or windows. That not only adds to the experience but is a lot less expensive to run.
Revisit and see if some of the function cannot be carried out in a shaded breezy interior.
And where are the solar panels to power it all?