Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government is targeting January 2027 for residents to begin occupying the new Pelican Court development, the 150-unit housing project replacing the former Booby Alley community.

Speaking Saturday on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne said work is continuing on the development as the government prepares for the handover.

“We hope to have the handover for the Booby Alley project related in January of next year,” Browne said.

The prime minister said he plans to meet with former property owners as the government prepares to allocate units and clarified that replacement homes will go to people who owned properties in Booby Alley.

“The children who live in those homes feel that they’re entitled to a free property too,” Browne said. “It doesn’t work like that.”

He explained that children who lived in a family property would not automatically receive separate units.

“So if, for example, your father or your mother own the property, they are entitled to a replacement property,” Browne said. “But the children, if they want to live otherwise, the best we can do for them is that we sell them one if we have any excess. Or if we’re doing a lease, we lease them.”

Browne said several members of the same families have approached the government claiming eligibility.

“The idea that you can get a free property, that’s not how the system works,” he said.

Condominium titles for owners

The prime minister confirmed that those receiving ownership units will receive condominium titles and said the necessary legal arrangements have already been handled.

Asked whether the ownership arrangement would be based on condominium titles, Browne responded: “Condominium title.”

“It has been done by Legal Affairs,” he added.

Landscaping is also underway, with Browne saying he wants additional greenery incorporated into the development.

“I see them putting some small plants now,” he said. “Besides where you have the heavy concrete walls, I want some bigger plants to break up the monotony of all the concrete and to have some greenery.”

Rules for tenants

Browne said the government will also establish rules governing residents, particularly those renting units.

“We determine who goes where and make that abundantly clear,” he said.

He said tenants involved in illegal activities could lose their right to remain in government-owned units.

“If you’re pushing narcotics, the government has a right to evict you,” Browne said.

The government also wants to prevent vehicles from entering pedestrian areas and damaging infrastructure.

“I’ve also asked for some planters to be put around the perimeter to prevent cars from driving inside the walkways and breaking up the walkways,” Browne said.

Water storage and household assistance

With Pelican Court effectively creating a community of 150 homes, Browne said the government also intends to establish additional water storage.

“We also intend to develop a water tank as well because the last thing you want is water going off and you have a whole — this is literally a village of 150 homes — without water,” he said.

Browne also said officials are considering arrangements to help residents finance new beds and other household necessities, potentially through government-backed credit that residents would repay.

“We’re putting a comprehensive program in place,” he said.

Browne said the government’s objective is not simply to provide new buildings but to ensure Pelican Court is maintained as residents transition from the former Booby Alley community.

“It is no longer a ghetto, it is now Pelican Court,” Browne said.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: PM Browne Targets January 2027 Occupancy for Booby Alley’s Pelican Court.