A summary of last week's BHB meetings - Part 2
Stuart Hayward insisted that Sustainable Development should include no building on parkland. He also pointed out that presently the BHB intends to own the green space to be gained from the existing KEMH site and that they would have the opportunity to build on this land in the future.
[please read Part 1 below first] ... Right so where was I? *flicks through notes...* Ah yes! - The BHB admitted that this project could well cost up to 1 billion dollars (I feel like Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movie when I say that).
Someone asked why the Pembroke Marsh site was rejected and one of the architects stated that the marsh goes down 600ft and that in order to build on that site you would either need to put piles into the marsh that extend down to that depth or float the entire construction on top of the marsh. Both options push the price way over the budget. It was stated that the cost of using piles which extended a mere 60ft on one overseas site was 100 million dollars (not sure if that was US or Canadian currency but you get the picture).
In response to the Department of Parks not being consulted Anthony Richardson said that they had consulted with the Ministry of the Environment through several meetings with the Permanent Secretary (Wayne Carey). Several members of the public erupted with laughter at this point. I wasn't sure why exactly. Perhaps it had something to do with Wayne Carey's public reputation.
A member of the public pointed out that the existing KEMH site is zoned industrial and in order to convert it back to protected parkland there needs to be a government mandate. They also asked how the BHB could guarantee that this will happen. Several similar "promises" that the Government has made in the past were referenced during these meetings. I got the feeling that most people are tried of hearing promises like this.
Anthony Richardson explained the process for which this decision went through Government. First the BHB made their recommendation to the relevant Government Ministers (these being Patrice Minors (Health) and Neletha Butterfield (Environment). Patrice Minors was the "chief" of the proposal document. The document was then passed onto other Ministers (like the Minister of Finance). These Ministers were all required to sign the document and state whether they agreed with it or not. Then the document went to Cabinet where they considered objections from other Ministers and a final decision was made (now re-opened by the Premier don't forget!) based on everyone's input. This entire process is confidential and it is not possible to find out who agreed to what.
I have heard through the environmental grapevine however, that Minister Neletha Butterfield strongly objected to the proposal to build the hospital in the Botanical Gardens.
After Mr. Richardson explained that the Cabinet were fully responsible for the decision making someone yelled out "WHERE ARE THEY NOW?".
Judith Wadson stood up and said that her great Aunt was involved with creating the garden for the blind and that is was such a peaceful place and asked the BHB to "please leave it alone". She suggested solutions for ways in which the open space could be preserved and one of these involved using beds at the Mid Atlantic Wellness Center while there is construction at the existing KEMH site. She also suggested using the former hospital in St. Davids.
It was stated several times over the course of the meetings that there are many hospitals, which are redeveloped in cities on the same site (such as the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia).
Several folks also suggested using a hospital ship while there was demolition and construction at the existing site.
Anthony Richardson responded to Stuart Hayward's comment regarding why the BHB planned to own the KEMH site after it was reverted to green space. Mr Richardson said this part of the process was yet to be determined and that it wasn't set in stone that the land would remain owned by the BHB. I also spoke directly with Mr. Richardson after Friday's meeting and asked him about the same issue. He told me that while the BHB had suggested the land remain in their hands it was only an idea. He also said that the BHB might be able to return it to green space faster than the Government and although they could potentially use this land for another hospital rebuild in the future, if the public demanded that it be protected by a Government mandate then that might also be possible.
Eva Hodgson referenced a talk show on the TV and how they dismissed the opinions of people who were showing up to these meetings because they were 90% white. She suggested that because most black people in Bermuda live in crowded areas they are less aware of the importance of open space. Ms Hodgson was rather abruptly cut off by Mr. Richardson and could not continue making her point.
Mr Richardson later acknowledged that recent reports suggested that the BHB was catering to white interests but that in fact they intend to communicate with all groups and not be biased by who shows up at the meetings. He said that they would go out to the community (like church groups) and consult with them about this decision.
Ms. Hodgson continued to make her point on paper, which she handed to me after the meeting. She says and I quote...
"Was my comment any longer than Stuart Hayward's? It seems to me (and I could be wrong) that I was being shut up as soon as I made it racial. For me (and many others) everything in Bermuda has a racial component). On the talk show yesterday several people were dismissing the objections because they were 90% white and white folks are always attacking the Government. The black working class has been denied space just as they have been denied high paying job. This Government should not be denying them open space just because they have never had it and don't know its value!"
Eva Hodgson