The Bab Al Bahrain development project, phase I, costing about BD6.2 million, will undergo construction by February. The preliminary design of the development has been recently approved by Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, writes Naila Barakat.
With the green light for the design, the project was handed over to the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs from the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Works and Housing.
Following this, the Ministry of Municipalities called for a co-ordinated meeting yesterday with all concerned government bodies to discuss progress of the project since its launch, said manager for the construction maintenance department, directorate of common municipal services at the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs Amedeo Norris.
He told Bahrain Tribune that another co-ordinated meeting will take place on Saturday at ministry premises.
"As part of phase I of the project, Bab Al Bahrain police station and the post office will be demolished and then rebuilt.
"This is due to the fact that the existing edifice is not structurally sound and is made of coral stone. The razing and reconstruction of a replica of the existing block of the police station and post office will take place in February.
"Prior to the approval of the Prime Minister and the minister on the preliminary design, there was a study conducted for the project awarded to Gulf House Engineers as consultants. They prepared a number of options, among which one was selected by the Premier and the minister," Norris said.
"The Bab Al Bahrain development has been divided into three phases with the initial phase seeing the revamping of Bab Al Bahrain to Shaikh Abdullah Avenue. Phase II is a car-park area in front of the Regency InterContinental Hotel while the next phase consists of developing the eastern and western areas of Bab Al Bahrain." He said that phase I also has three stages.
"Improvement in the initial stage will take place starting from Bab Al Bahrain to Mutanabi Avenue including a block owned by the government where there is also a police station and post office. Considering the historic significance of the two buildings, reconstruction work will have a traditional aspect.
"Among many upgraded facilities will be a small shopping mall consisting of two storeys and an underground car park and pedestrian plaza.
Meanwhile, existing shops will be clad with a facade. On top of government buildings and the facade will be a shaded structure, and also a lot of landscaping will be done in the area. Along Shaikh Abdullah Avenue will be a plaza with a tourist centre.
"There will also be a facade between Mutanabi Avenue and Shaikh Abdullah Avenue. Other development as part of phase I will see revamping the surrounding suq," Norris said. "Plans are also under way to convert the reconstructed building of the police station and post office into museums."
He said tenders for the project will be announced in November and December while the budget and design have been approved by the government.
Bahrain Tribune 2005
