At the official handover ceremony for Antigua and Barbuda’s new EC$50 million Pelican Court housing development this Thursday, Prime Minister Gaston Browne delivered a firm warning: drug trafficking and unregulated gambling will not be tolerated within the 150-home community, and any resident who violates the development’s strict guidelines faces eviction.
Built on the site of the former Booby Alley neighborhood, the project, entirely funded by a Chinese grant, features 150 two-bedroom residences located in Antigua and Barbuda’s Point district. Browne emphasized that compliance with community rules is mandatory for all residents, regardless of whether they own their home outright, are paying off a mortgage, or are renting the property.
The Prime Minister stressed that the transformation of the former Booby Alley community goes far beyond the construction of new modern buildings. It also requires a shift in resident behavior, consistent upkeep of shared public spaces, and a collective commitment to raising the quality of life for every family that calls Pelican Court home. Explicitly banning narcotics trafficking and all unauthorized gambling activities, Browne warned that allowing these harmful practices to take root would jeopardize the entire development’s long-term success.
“The last thing we want is a few years from now that we end up with a glorified ghetto,” he told attendees at the ceremony. Browne made clear that any resident unwilling or unable to abide by the community’s rules should seek alternative housing arrangements elsewhere. At present, however, he has not outlined the specific process for removing non-compliant residents, nor has he explained how enforcement protocols will differ between property owners and renters.
In addition to the ban on criminal activity, Pelican Court residents will be required to pay regular condominium maintenance fees to fund upkeep of buildings and shared facilities. Browne did not announce the size of these fees or establish a payment schedule during his remarks. Proper waste management is another core resident responsibility, Browne added, urging community members to avoid dumping trash in shared green spaces or on adjacent private properties.
The Prime Minister framed adherence to these rules as a intergenerational responsibility, noting that residents owe it to their children and grandchildren to build a safer, more supportive community that can be passed down through families. He described Pelican Court as more than just a housing project: it is an opportunity for local families to build long-term intergenerational wealth and break the cycle of inadequate housing that has impacted generations of residents in the area.
Looking ahead, Browne argued that Pelican Court’s success will set a precedent for all future public housing projects across the country. For this reason, consistent resident care of individual properties and widespread respect for community rules are essential to ensuring the development delivers on its promise of sustainable, improved quality of life for decades to come.