The Ministry of Public Works has begun the demolition of the Clarence A. Bain building located on the corner of Moss Rd. and University Boulevard. The demolition of the structure is projected to be completed by the end of the week.

Over a period of years several government agencies had demitted the building due to unsatisfactory working conditions. Works Minister the Honourable T. Desmond Bannister said that due to extensive damage occasioned by the passage of Hurricane Matthew in 2016, the final occupants of the Clarence Bain Building left the premises.

Consideration was given to the refurbishment of the building, however, the design of the Clarence Bain Building did not meet the requirements of a modern office building and the cost of repairs and reconfiguration were determined to be prohibitive.  Minister Bannister said that once this was determined “My Ministry was then tasked with preparing for the demolition of the four storey office block. Funding for the project was allocated in The Ministry of Public Works 2019/2020 budget allocation.”

Following a competitive bidding process, CGT Contractors & Developers won the contract for the project. The first item in the scope of works was to have the building tested for asbestos. Once it was determined that there was asbestos in the building the contractor submitted a remediation plan with attendant costs. Upon approval of the plan and the cost CGT Contractors commenced the remediation process.

The company’s managing director, Larry Treco, said his team is making “very good progress” and hoping to be completed with the project by August.

“Once we get the building demolished then we have the remove all of the debris. Then we will dig out the foundation to leave the site level and clean. The project was awarded to us November of last year but there were substantial delays, inclusive of asbestos remediation process. We got started in earnest in February of this year but faced another delay due to Covid-19.”