Judicial complex plans still on
Published:Friday | January 23, 2009 | 7:51 AM
The Ministry of Justice is denying reports that it has shelved plans for constructing a regional judicial complex in Manchester.
However, it says the site proposed for the complex could be changed because of cost considerations.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Carol Palmer, says it would cost $100 million to construct a retaining wall and install an elevator.
She adds that additionally it would require 12 million dollars to construct a sewage treatment plant from which water would be utilized for the air conditioning units.
She explains that the Project Managers said while this was feasible, it would require a high degree of maintenance and water quality monitoring, which would be costly.
The Ministry team also advised that it would cost an additional $80 million for roadwork and infrastructure.
The ministry says given these figures, a decision was taken to explore other sites and two possible locations were identified and have been inspected.
The Urban Development Corporation has also identified a third site for assessment.
These alternative locations would require no significant changes to the existing architectural design for the complex.
The ministry says a decision will be taken regarding the site of the complex following a comparative analysis and consultations with the stakeholders in Manchester.