A key milestone in Antigua and Barbuda’s urban renewal and economic development agenda was marked this week, when the Chinese government formally handed over the completed 150-unit Pelican Court condominium development to the Antigua and Barbuda government. The new housing complex, located in St. John’s City West, replaces the informal Booby Alley settlement that previously occupied the site, setting the stage for broader community redevelopment work across the surrounding area.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony, Prime Minister Browne outlined the government’s next phase of transformation for the region: a purpose-built entrepreneurial space and vendor facility to be constructed along the city’s waterfront, tied directly to a planned clearance of the nearby Sweeney Alley informal settlement scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. All current residents of Sweeney Alley will be resettled in newly constructed affordable housing, with Pelican Court and the nearby Barrymore development selected as the primary relocation sites, aligning infrastructure investment with social support for displaced community members.
In a post-ceremony interview with local outlet ABS, Browne clarified that the proposed waterfront development will be designed specifically to support local vendors and small business owners, as part of a broader, whole-system approach to regional growth. Beyond the waterfront project, the prime minister also revealed plans for two additional major economic development initiatives: a dedicated enterprise zone positioned between the existing Food City retail location and the local distillery, and phased expansion of developed infrastructure along the coastal corridor stretching toward Fort James.
Notably, key details of the proposed entrepreneurial hub remain undisclosed at this early stage. Browne did not announce the projected construction cost, the total number of business lots or units the facility will accommodate, the selection criteria that will be used to allocate spaces to vendors, or a formal timeline for breaking ground and completing construction. Despite the lack of specific logistical details, Browne emphasized that the government’s approach to growth across the St. John’s area prioritizes holistic progress, pairing economic expansion with intentional social development to benefit all local residents. “Understand that we’re pursuing a holistic development. We are presiding over economic development. We are also helping socially,” Browne told attendees at the ceremony.