The Woodbrook community is opposing plans to develop Ariapita Avenue, saying the plans are being made without proper consultation and input from residents.
Residents voiced their concern in a statement yesterday, following comments made by Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell about the potential for Ariapita Avenue to be used for year-round carnival-type activities.
During the Tribe Family of Bands’ SUNSETWKN (Sunset Weekend) launch last month, Mitchell said Ariapita Avenue could be used for weekend band launches outside of the carnival season. He said this would attract tourists while also creating employment for cultural workers.
But in a statement yesterday, Woodbrook Residents’ Committee said it was “deeply concerned and perplexed” by the statements “which are being made ex-chairmanship and without the benefit of meaningful consultation and dialogue with the community and, dare we say, in the absence of any verifiable research into the area’s development needs and priorities.”
The committee said the year-round carnival activities will not only dilute the original carnival festival, but will turn Ariapita Avenue into a “Gaza Strip” and center for nefarious activities.
“What we see is an ill-conceived agenda to recreate the ‘Gaza Strip’ that took place on Wrightson Street during and immediately after the Second World War. The result of this was the prevalence of prostitution, gambling and a variety of sordid activities, including street fights and riotous behavior involving US Marines and locals in various bars and nightclubs throughout the area,” the statement added.
The right to peace
The committee said the Avenue is already affected by criminal activity and environmental and noise pollution.
“Weekend activities from the premises constantly confront residents with unsanitary waste in front of their properties – styrofoam cups and plates, food boxes, double wrapping paper, sanitary napkins, condoms, human excrement and vomit,” the Committee said.
He added that Woodbrook is a predominantly residential neighborhood and residents have a right to peace, cleanliness and safety “all of which will be further jeopardized by what is proposed.”
The committee called for consultation and research to be carried out into the area’s heritage as part of plans to redevelop the area and said it is seeking a meeting with Mitchell to discuss the matter.
The committee said a redevelopment plan by the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) has several shortcomings, including sidewalks too narrow to accommodate street furniture, blocking traffic access during activities and removing green spaces to create parking facilities and public bathrooms. .
The committee added that for entertainment businesses to operate side by side with residents, there should be restrictions, including bars to stop selling alcohol until two o’clock, music speakers to be placed indoors to limit noise pollution and police enforce public nuisance laws.
“If things are done the right way with proper consultation and effective dialogue with residents and other businesses, then happy coexistence is possible, but government forcefully imposing its will on the community is unsatisfactory and undemocratic.” said the Committee.
