Business View Caribbean - Mar 2024

REIMAGINING GEORGETOWN: A BLEND OF MODERNITY AND HERITAGE Georgetown, the vibrant heart and capital of the Cayman Islands, stands on the brink of transformation. Traditionally known as a bustling business district, this central hub has experienced a noticeable decline in urban vibrancy and cultural appeal. Recognizing the need for rejuvenation, the government has embarked on an ambitious plan to breathe new life into Georgetown, aiming to restore its allure as a community hub where nightlife, business, and leisure harmoniously coexist. “Right now, we’re only looking at revitalizing Georgetown, our central capital, our hub of the Cayman Islands,”Minister Ebanks says. He reflects on the perception that Georgetown has become merely a business capital, lacking in nightlife and becoming somewhat of a ghost town after hours. “How do we revitalize Georgetown and make people want to be there after hours?” he poses, highlighting the core challenge the project aims to address. The strategy for revitalizing Georgetown involves a phased approach, with the initial phase focusing on Cardinal Avenue. “Our first phase was looking at Cardinal Avenue, which was a street connecting a lot of the businesses down there, and it is a historic street,” Minister Ebanks explains. The objective was to transform the street into a more inviting space, encouraging people to engage with the area in various ways, from leisurely reading a book to enjoying casual interactions in a more aesthetically pleasing environment. Despite initial resistance to the idea of closing a section of the road, the project’s completion has garnered widespread acclaim, proving the value of the initiative and setting the stage for further developments. With the successful completion of the first phase, the government has committed to continuing this revitalization with a second phase already underway. “The government was committed to doing a second phase in the Georgetown revitalization, which we have just recently started,” Minister Ebanks shares. This ongoing effort is notmerelyaboutmodernization; it’s about intertwining the Cayman Islands’ history 45 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 03 MINISTRY OF PLANNING, AGRICULTURE, AND HOUSING