Marginal Wharf is a ‘goldmine’

St George’s MP Kenneth Bascome has called on Government to ‘make the most’ of the potential ‘goldmine’ surrounding Marginal Wharf and transform it into a commercial estate.

Mr Bascome says the project, which would also include the construction of a new container docks, would benefit both local businesses as well Government by providing a sound source of revenue.

At present the land is owned by the Bermuda Land Development Company — a Government quango.

It is occupied by a handful of boat yards and tradesmen, and large areas of the site have become overgrown and fallen into disrepair.

Mr Bascome told the Bermuda Sun that existing businesses could be incorporated into the infrastructure of the new development.

He added: “People don’t realize the huge amount of land there is available around Marginal Wharf.

“The are two big parcels of green land that are ripe for development close to the Longtail building, which could also provide access routes to the waterfront. 

“They are just sitting there right now being used for nothing.

“And then there is the huge potential of the existing industrial area, large parts of which have fallen into disrepair, by the wharf.

“At present there are three boat yards and several small businesses on this huge site. I’m not saying we get rid of these businesses or displace them, but they should be incorporated into a major renovation project.

“That way you have pre-existing carpentry shops, garages and marine repair outlets on site already to complement the new docks facility.”

The area around Marginal Wharf has become a hotbed of development debate, as plans to overhaul Hamilton’s Waterfront have come to the fore. Plans to develop the Hamilton Waterfront would inevitably mean that the docks would need to be moved elsewhere.

And many, including Mr Bascome, say that Marginal Wharf is the best alternative location for the docks.

The St George’s MP says that the new docks would provide the ideal backdrop to a new, upgraded commercial estate.

He added: “BLDC is a Government entity so ownership should not even be an issue in the grand scheme of things.

“I do not believe that Government is taking advantage of this area in terms of its commercial prospects.

“This land is not being used in its most profitable way. There’s a lot of little businesses here already and we should give them first option of moving in once the upgrade has taken place.

“In fact, I believe we could carry out the upgrade while they are all still operating.

“The longer we leave it the more difficult it will be to make this project commercially viable.”

New chapter beckons for rusty site

Boarded up windows and overgrown courtyards dominate the forgotten corners of Marginal Wharf.

The rusting shell of the old Niobe Corinthian rocks gently close to where the old St David’s ferry used to dock.

This area was once a hub of activity while the US forces were based up in St David’s.

Military supplies, shipped all the way from the US, were brought right alongside at Marginal Wharf.

The area around the berth housed the huge generator that powered the base, as well as laundry and other facilities.

Today, just a handful of hard-working tradesmen including mechanics and boat yard operators occupy this largely-deserted site and go quietly about their day-to-day work.

Dozens of old wooden boats sit marooned on dry-dock stilts, as if washed up some time ago by a mini tsunami.

Eerie silence

But they, like the rusting cars and old machinery that litters the Bermuda Land Development Company (BLDC) site are unlikely to ever see gainful employment again.

There’s an eerie silence to this once frenetic military hub. 

It’s as if everyone left in a big hurry some time ago and you half expect tumbleweed to blow down the road.

On each corner there’s a small reminder of what this place used to be like; but the solid structures
and huge generators that once provided the backbone to the presence of America’s finest are crumbling.

Old yellow diesel engines and ‘no trespassing’ signs provide a bleak backdrop, that is mirrored in the broken windows.

It seems the past has caught up with Marginal Wharf, and large parts have been overtaken with rust and weeds.

So maybe now is the time to look towards a new beginning for this piece of  land.

The potential is undeniable, as is the presence of a pre-existing shipping channel and berth, which would require relatively minimal modifications.

But Marginal Wharf’s future is likely to hinge on the availability of the dollar rather than the availability of surrounding infrastructure. n