Oranjestad Harbor & Surroundings to Become Tourism & Recreation Dedicated Areas

[Arubalisa]

"In the Next Two Years Oranjestad Harbor and Surroundings to Become Tourism and Recreation Dedicated Areas
Category General News Date August 16th, 2010
http://www.aruba.com/news/general-ne...dicated-areas/

The Oranjestad harbor has always accommodated commercial activities of both industrial and tourism nature and while both sectors grew significantly over the years, only part of the industrial activities were moved to the Barcadera harbor.

In recent years, plans were presented for moving the cargo and other industrial activities of the wharf to Barcadera as well and expand the current Oranjestad harbor’s facilities for cruise and other nautical tourism use and beautify the area for the general public’s enjoyment.

On Thursday morning at the government offices in Oranjestad an agreement was signed between the government and Aruba Ports Authority (APA) to start the process towards realizing these plans for which among others funding has to be determined and an agreement has to be reached with ASTEC, the current operator of the industrial wharf, on its future relationship with APA.

The process of expanding the Barcadera dock and renovating the cruise ship facilities and its vicinity in Oranjestad is an investment of over Afl. 100 million (approx. 60 million USD) and should be completed within the next two years.

The new Oranjestad harbor area is to include a park, a plaza and a “natural pool”.

Moving the industrial activities to Barcadera will also go hand in hand with significant infrastructural changes to include a four-lane road from Oranjestad to the large roundabout in Pos Chiquito and a ring road for Oranjestad to better regulate the traffic flow in and around the island’s capital.

Cabinet Mike Eman initiated the process to elevate the quality and standard of living for island residents upon taking over office in September 2009. The integrated plan “BoAruba”, Your Aruba, that the government introduced then includes the complete renovation and expansion of the island’s infrastructure, as well as providing better social and living conditions for the entire population.

Story courtesy of Aruba Daily"

[qlaval]

What a great new!

Staying at the Renaissance in a few years will be more enjoyable then ever.
Thanks for sharing.

[MikeM]

Awesome! This is great news for the area there. Looking forward to seeing it completed in 2 years...

[Andrea J.]

2 years is probably not going to happen........
i envision it a 6 yr project.
this is a huge undertaking.

[taxidriver]

This government is really working for the island, they promises to change the amount of passenger in the taxi back from 5 to 7, or 6.

[Andrea J.]

this new party in majority is really taking the bull by the "horns" and moving forward.
as bully says, the taxi passenger thing is being discussed.......lots of ecological issues being discussed, labor issues, immigration are all huge topics of their agenda.

the majority is moving in a good direction (imo)

[Arubalisa]

a ring road for Oranjestad to better regulate the traffic flow in and around the island’s capital.

Another bonus! Besides day to day traffic jams, have you ever tried to get through downtown O'stad during Christmas shopping season.