You can’t fight city hall

In 2003, Sir John Swan partnered with the Bermuda Sun and hosted the “On the Waterfront” competition and invited members of the public to submit their ideas for the development of the Hamilton waterfront. The winner for this competition? Linberg and Simmons.

Then in 2004, Sir John Swan completed one of the first residential condos in the city of Hamilton — “The Atlantis.” 

A luxury 8-floor condominium apartment complex of 68 apartments. Prices then were $635,000 to $850,000 per unit. They currently are for sale to “Bermudians only.”  

Most recently in 2010, Sir John Swan completed Bermuda’s first 10-storey complex located at 114 Front Street; a 107,000 sq ft state-of-the-art monument. The architectural firm?  Linberg and Simmons.

Extending City Limits and Tax Base

 August 2012, Sir John Swan and Larry Burchall suggested the revitalization of Hamilton & extending city limits:-

• Front Street along Pitts Bay Road. 

• St John’s Road to and along Langton Hill to and along the waters of North Shore. 

• Up Dock Hill to Frog Lane along Montpelier Road onto Middle Road. 

• Cavendish Road down Corkscrew Hill to Hamilton Harbour.  

• Along East Broadway back to Front Street. 

Basically, expanding the City of Hamilton boundaries to incorporate most of Pembroke and parts of Devonshire.

Possible reasons for extending the city limits are:-

1. To increase the number of residences subject to both City and Government taxes?

2. Propose residential properties and condos within this new city zone to be made available high net worth individuals and PRC holders’ purchase? 

3. Moving the docks that are currently located in front of Sir John Swan’s building at 114 Front Street, to North Shore?

4. Increased paid parking?

Some may look at Sir John’s track record and think, “Well, he has some good ideas, so hey let him do what he wants with Hamilton.” Hold on a minute, there is more to this story than redevelopment.

Firstly, who says the people of Pembroke wish to be paying extra taxes? We already have:

• Lighting, sanitation, road repair, water .

Most importantly, we are already the most densely populated region in this island. So why should we be subjected to more overcrowding with high-rises?  Is the plan to push us out to make room for others?

Why is Fairylands and Spanish Point excluded from this expansion?

Gentrification and gerrymandering, are the possible end results of what this proposal will do.

Gentrification will see PRC holders suddenly moving into selected areas. Initially, it will help to boost land values of surrounding properties. 

However, this will eventually cause prices for real estate in those areas to escalate beyond the reach of ordinary working and middle-class Bermudians, locking future generations out.

Gerrymandering will occur via granting PRC holders full status with the ability to vote in both City and general elections. 

 “Status should be available for people who have made a significant contribution.”  Sir John Swan Bermuda Sun, June 5, 2012

As we all know, most of the constituencies in Pembroke are working class voters. Any guess as to why PRC holders will be granted the right to vote in specific areas? 

You may contact Christopher Famous at [email protected]