City council voted for Merriman Mall parking deal in January – Mayor

(Stabroek News)

Mayor Ubraj Narine yesterday stated that the decision to lease a section of the Merriman Mall to be used as a parking lot was first discussed at committee level on December 9th, 2020.

Narine told Stabroek News that following the committee-level discussions, the matter was brought to the council at a statutory meeting held on January 25th, 2021. Narine said the matter was voted on and passed by a majority of 17 votes, with one abstaining and one against.

He concluded that the rightful process was followed.

A source familiar with the discussion on the matter also told this newspaper that in addition to the development of the parking lot, there is other business to be done at the Merriman Mall in terms of modernisation and bringing it to a particular standard.

The source noted that the matter was discussed at all appropriate levels of the council and was properly dealt with.

Stabroek News had reported that the City Hall had leased a section of the Merriman Mall to Sleepin Hotel and Casino proprietor Clifton Bacchus for the development of a parking lot.

City Hall had said that the matter was being finalised while the businessman had said that he has already made payment for a one-year period and has started preparatory works.

Bacchus recently told Stabroek News that he sought use of the area, located between Albert and Light streets, near the Church Street hotel and casino, in order to minimise the congestion of the area, where the roadways have become overcrowded at night and finding parking has become an issue during the day.

He added that the parking area is needed since the situation becomes particularly chaotic when the churches and mosque nearby are all operating at the same time.

Against this background, about two months ago Bacchus wrote to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) requesting a section of the mall to be used as parking and later received a positive response.

He said he was leased the section between Albert and Light streets at a cost of $1.3 million per year. He paid for the first year last month and he said he is presently working to upgrade the area to make it suitable for parking. He added that his aim is to equip the area with solar lights and to beautify it in other ways. He believe that the area leased to him will fit at least 300 vehicles.

Bacchus noted that while the parking area will be his responsibility financially, the lot will be open for use by other businesses, such as Bakewell.

Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore had said that the decision to lease the section of the mall was influenced by congestion, including the impact on the churches and mosque nearby.

He assured this newspaper that the decision made was discussed and approved by the council, with councillors from both APNU and the PPP/C in agreement.

He added that Bacchus’ request dovetails with the need to bring order to the area in general.