Grand Opening for Cardinal Avenue

By Christopher Tobutt

After many months hard work, Cardinal Avenue at the very heart of George Town, has been transformed into a lovely pedestrianized street, where you don’t have to keep looking around to see if you are in the way of a car or a truck. The official ribbon-cutting – or in this case something more in-keeping with Cayman’s cultural traditions, a thatch rope tying ceremony - took place to the sounds of steel pan on Thursday 1 December. There was also a big, lovely Christmas Tree right in the middle of the street, which has been remade with paving bricks of pastel shades. It is part of the George Town revitalization project to makeover the heart of the Capital, making it more attractive to shoppers, businesspeople and tourists alike. The next phase will be around Seafarers Way, with two pedestrian crossings connecting the pocket park on the waterfront with Cardinal Avenue. There will also be a new, free, solar-powered public WiFi for visitors to the area.

Many dignitaries were present, including His Excellency the Governor, Martyn Roper, along with the Premier, Hon, Wayne Panton, Mnister of Tourism, the hon. Kenneth Bryan, Hon Jay Ebanks, Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Finance Hon. Andre Ebanks and the new Speaker, Hon Kathy Ebanks-Wilks

Colin Lumsden, the George Town Manager and Revitalisation Initiative Coordinator, said: “Amidst all the hustle and bustle of George Town we wanted something like an umbilical chord that would tie George Town together in the spirit of new urbanism, with landscaping and furniture; we saw it as a very important part of everything that we stood for.” 

Minister Jay Ebanks acknowledged that the project experienced difficulties, but was within the budget. Minister Bryan said: “I have to admit that I am pleased with what I see here today. The Minister and the Ministry for infrastructure, and the George Town Manager Mr. Colin Lumsden, has successfully transformed this area while at the same time maintained its purpose and its character. Cardinal Avenue looks clean, it looks attractive and it looks welcoming, and I’m sure its appearance will appeal to residents and visitors alike.

“I’ve been paying close attention to the enhancements taking place in this area, because of the multipurpose role its played in supporting businesses and tourism. This is one of George Town’s major hubs for business and banking, but it is also the focal point for cruise passenger arrivals, cargo operations and a host of activities, and it has now become an area where the concept of New Urbanism comes to life, which means pedestrianized streets, green spaces and improved lighting, all blended together to entice people to come here and spend more time…during the daytime and the nighttime.

Mr. Bryan went on to add that the intention of the remodeling is to, “Breathe new life into our capital,” not only for businesses during the day, but to become a, “Vibrant location with high energy activity during the night.”

We’ll be operating on some of those ourselves, with new brands and new store concepts