Dear Editor,
I WISH to indicate how thrilled I was to learn of the implementation of a $64M plan by the European Union to restore and conserve the architectural design of City Hall in

Georgetown. It will bring much enhancement to the 129-year-old structure, once the prettiest building in Guyana that is now in a very sorry state, due entirely to the negligence and slackness of municipal officials there over the last two decades, who just sat and argued in it but did nothing to maintain it..

I would like to implore the EU officials here, however, to not even think about handing over a blind cent to City Hall in which exists a huge black hole that ruthlessly gobbles up money which then can never be found again. It is either they spend the money themselves or give it to the National Trust. There are innumerable examples of this City Hall ‘black hole phenomena’ to which I refer, including most recently, grants given to City Hall by the Communities Ministry under its Capital Programme for the “Georgetown Restoration Programme” which has left auditors scratching their heads.

A point to note, however, is that a whimsical figure of 400 million dollars and more is being bandied around as what will be needed in total for the rehabilitation of this edifice which can only be a guesstimate as a proper quantity survey has not yet been done for this project.

This leads to my concern whereby City Hall proposes to set up a fund to garner donations to salvage the structure, including from other international agencies. At all costs, no funds must ever be funneled to City Hall or through any other arrangement to which City Hall is involved. In fact, my concern is not limited to financial contributions only, but also that of materials which may not be accounted for either, as is the case with the Kitty Market which is still not completed after three long years.

Important to note, as well, is that City Hall lacks the competence and capacity to carry out the necessary rehabilitation and restoration of City Hall. Just look at the PVC windows that they have replaced the original wooden windows with, showing their cultural barbarism. The unique characteristics of City Hall, including its archaic construction materials, hidden details, and “uncommon” original construction techniques will require special skills and approaches to which City Hall is totally lacking.

I am concerned not only about City Hall’s restoration and present preservation, but also its future conservation. One of the biggest challenges the restorers will face is maintaining the historic significance of the structure whilst at the same time, improving its performance and safety.
Regards
Sean Levius