Plans for the construction of a much-needed car park in the Philipsburg district are now beginning to take shape with the general pension fund administrator, APS, embarking on a series of activities related to the project.
The pension fund has contracted a local contractor to start upgrading a portion of the acquired lot in Philipsburg, where the parking facilities are to be constructed.
Additionally, the front portion to the construction site is to be fenced off while a welcome and project information sign board has been placed at the site. The sign board informs the general public on the scheduled phases for the construction of a multifunctional (commercial) building and parking garage on that site.
“Among the first steps to take place are the preparation and pre-development activities. These entail subsoil tests, surveying and measuring, as well as determining the functional, technical and spatial requirements for the multifunctional building and parking facilities to be constructed on the property” says APS director Nadya van Putten.
She notes that “by late 2017 into early 2018 architectural and engineering designs will be ready, prior to the actual development and commencement of construction works to take place from mid-2018 to 2020”. The project is scheduled to be completed by the ending of 2019 and should be ready for opening to the public by early 2020.
The parking garage is expected to become a welcome addition to Philipsburg, where parking of vehicles remains a serious challenge for persons working in the area and for those having to visit offices and stores in the area.
The contractor is to commence work as early as this week.
APS acquired the property from the St. Maarten government in September 2016 as part of a debt settlement agreement with the pension fund.
The lot on which the multifunctional building and parking facilities will be erected is bounded to the south by the parcel of land on which the New Government Administration Building is constructed on Pond Island.