The seventeen million, nine hundred and thirty-nine thousand, one hundred and four dollars and thirty-two cents ($17,939,104.32) Joe’s Hill Housing Project commenced on July 1st 2020 and is on schedule to be completed in the projected 3.5 years despite COVID-19 restrictions and curfew measures.
This was confirmed by Minister of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon. Vincent Wheatley during 14th Sitting Of The Second Session Of The Fourth House Of Assembly, held on September 23rd, 2020.
The Housing project, comprising of twenty-five (25) buildings, will include fifty-two (52) residential units (of a mix of one, two- and three-bedroom living quarters) and a commercial space.
It was reported that the existing roadways were cleared, a lower entrance to the property (in the Long Bush area) was created, the upper retaining wall (at the Joe’s Hill entrance) had been poured up to 60% of its final height and backfilling works had commenced.
Also, the foundations for the 3, three-storey condos are far advanced and the slabs for the ground floor levels near completion, and the backfill for the lower retaining wall is slated for September.
Hon. Wheatley explained that the project did not escape the reach of COVID-19 as some restrictions were inevitably placed on the worksite and the efforts of the construction crew.
The construction crew made several adjustments, such as suspending heavy works on the site during the September two-week 16-hr curfew, and limiting activities to include backfill works only.
Although experiencing minor setbacks the Contractor have assured the Government that the project is not at risk at this stage. No indications have been given that an extension for completion of the project would be required.