Feasibility study report due in August

The findings of a feasibility study that was conducted earlier this year in regard to the Comprehensive Restoration and Sustainable Conservation Management Plan for City Hall is expected to be handed over in August.
The European Union and the Georgetown Mayor and City Council had signed a million contract back in December to facilitate the study, which was done by a team of experts from Europe along with those from the National Trust of Guyana and City Hall.
The study was completed earlier this year, and according to the Programme Officer at the EU Mission in Guyana, Odran Hayes, the report is expected to be handed over next month.
“We’re hoping (that) in August (it would be handed over); there is a little bit of delay because it has been technically a bit more challenging than we had anticipated,” he explained.
However, the Programme Officer noted that while the EU funded the study, Central Government would have to bear the cost of the rehabilitation project.
Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had revealed last year that the rehabilitation of City Hall would cost in excess of 0 million. She pointed out that the cost is not just for repairs, but restoration of the building, which would require replacement of parts such as cast iron and boards on the outer wall. In addition, the designs and quality of the board to be used would also have to be taken into account, she noted.
The Mayor went on to say that those rehabilitation works would commence after the receipt of the report from the study, which would make recommendations on each phase of the restoration process.
Moreover, Green had told this newspaper at the time that City Hall officials were having discussion with the World Monument Funding Agency, Guyana Heritage Society, and the National Trust, which also gave assurances of their support after a review of the building. They called for immediate steps to be taken to have the repairs done in the near future.
The contract for the study was awarded to a Belgium-based firm, EURONET Consulting GEIE. The core of the assessment involved conducting a condition assessment and evaluation of the physical and structural state of City Hall and the City Engineer’s buildings; preparation and presentation of a comprehensive green restoration plan, and a sustainable conservation management plan for City Hall and the City Engineer’s Buildings; and facilitating training sessions and strengthening capacity within the relevant stakeholder agencies.