On October 26, 2026, Belize’s tourism authorities formally announced a landmark dual infrastructure project that will dismantle, fully reconstruct, and reactivate the iconic Baron Bliss Lighthouse, long one of Belize City’s most beloved and recognizable coastal landmarks, as the centerpiece of a sweeping waterfront boardwalk redevelopment. The decision to rebuild the historic lighthouse followed comprehensive structural engineering surveys that confirmed its underlying foundation had suffered irreversible compromise from years of coastal erosion and saltwater exposure, creating significant public safety risks that forced the site to be partially restricted to visitors in recent months. Evan Tillett, Director of the Belize Tourism Board, emphasized that the reconstruction process will strictly adhere to the lighthouse’s original architectural design and visual identity, ensuring no alteration to its cherished cultural and historical silhouette, while upgrading its internal systems to restore full operational functionality as a working navigational aid for coastal vessels. The broader adjacent waterfront redevelopment will feature an extended public boardwalk that stretches past the restored lighthouse, connecting the site to the famous Belize Sign landmark that already draws thousands of local visitors and domestic and international tourists each year. The initiative also includes full replacement of the long-dilapidated adjacent seawall, which had fallen into severe disrepair and posed ongoing flood risks for low-lying sections of the shoreline. Tillett confirmed that the Belize Tourism Board completed full consultations with all key local stakeholders, including heritage preservation groups, resident associations, small waterfront business operators, and maritime safety authorities, before finalizing project plans and issuing construction contracts. While Tillett noted he could not recall the full official project contractor name during the live broadcast, he confirmed the awarded firm is TCU Construction. The entire waterfront redevelopment scheme carries an estimated total budget of $1.5 million, with a targeted completion deadline set for January 2027. Officials state the project is designed to strike a careful three-way balance: upholding strict public safety standards, preserving Belize’s unique coastal cultural heritage, and unlocking new tourism and recreational value for a long underutilized stretch of Belize City’s shoreline.