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BLDC set to start huge projects

year from a series of huge projects on the old US Naval Air Station, it was revealed yesterday.And as much as $20 million will be spent at the Base -- now known as Southside --

year from a series of huge projects on the old US Naval Air Station, it was revealed yesterday.

And as much as $20 million will be spent at the Base -- now known as Southside -- over the new financial year, which starts this week.

Bermuda Land Development Company chief executive Carl Musson said: "Although jobs numbers will be determined by the size of contracts and the contractors, we estimate that the Southside development programme will provide 120 to 170 jobs over the course of the year.

"And this estimate does not include professional services such as architecture and engineering.'' He singled out plans to renovate 30 three-bedroom houses in the first stage of a 54-house modernisation programme over two years.

Mr. Musson said the first 30 houses will be available for rent between September and January next year.

He said the housing development plans would be a shot in the arm for three of the targets the BLDC has set itself -- to open up the old Base to the rest of Bermuda, provide business for St. David's traders and generate cash for the BLDC from rents to help fund other work.

Mr. Musson added: "Approximately $1 million in Southside maintenance contracts will be re-bid. These involve building maintenance, building repairs and grounds keeping.'' Mr. Musson was speaking at a meeting of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce yesterday morning. The BLDC is responsible for masterminding the rebirth of the old military bases at Daniel's Head, Tudor Hill and Morgan's Point, as well as Southside.

And Mr. Musson urged business leaders based in high-rent Hamilton to consider heading due south to a new base for their operations.

Mr. Musson said: "It would be remiss of me not to take advantage of this opportunity to urge you to consider Southside as an alternative location for your business.'' He added that the industrial sector of Southside -- between Marginal Wharf and the Airport -- offered flat land ideal for warehousing and storage on 62 acres of open space, as well as cheaper costs.

And Mr. Musson said: "We will also be converting existing buildings into quality office space and making it available at rates substantially lower than current rates in Hamilton.'' And he told his audience: "We are prepared to act as the developer and to build to suit your needs.'' Other major works in the pipeline include: A new sewage plant to replace the aging treatment centre at Ruth's Bay, with the contract expected to be awarded next month; The demolition of old, unsafe, apartment barracks on the site earmarked for the 26-acre Business Enterprise Zone; The re-opening of Corregidor Avenue, which runs through the heart of the site; Tenders being invited for the preparation of 38,000 acres of industrial space; The preparation of more than 36,000 square feet of office space, and; Bulldozers moving in on more than 100,000 square feet of derelict buildings, like tin sheds lining the airfield, bunkers and storage buildings.

Mr. Musson said: "In reviewing the projects, I avoided attaching dates -- what I can say is many of them will be started within the next four months.''