PHILIPSBURG:--- The Director for Restaurant Division for the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association SHTA, Valentin Davis presented a document titled "The Way to Economic Growth in our Capital" to Deputy Prime Minister William Marlin on Tuesday December 4th at the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg.
The document was produced based on the growing concern that businesses in Philipsburg are suffering and the down town area needs stimulus. A major issue is the lack of available parking in Philipsburg which is a deterrent to visiting our capital. This prevents residents and visitors from patronizing the shops, restaurants, casinos and other businesses during the day time and coupled with the increasing crime makes one avoid an evening visit. Davis was accompanied by his fellow board members Kenrick Housen Director of Small Hotels, SHTA, Sunil Khatnani Director of Retail Division, SHTA, and Rueben Thompson Director of Environment SHTA.
Much of the blame for this shift from a vibrant Philipsburg to a quiet "ghost town" stems from the traffic congestion driving into the capital and the lack of parking once you get there. There are also concerns about security and lighting and because the Philipsburg area is so poorly lit from the Boardwalk to the Walter Nisbeth Road, crimes especially violent crimes, have become a further deterrent for would be visitors to the area.
The document states that it has been discovered that a majority of repeat tourists to the island do not venture into Philipsburg because of the parking challenges. The parking in front of the government building and the other two at the rear of the police station and the central bank are somewhat ideally located, however, both are filled by 9:00AM by their own employees and therefore, are not accessible to persons coming into Philipsburg after that early morning hour.
The SHTA's position is that there are several low cost actions that can be taken to return the Philipsburg area to a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike. Minister Marlin told the SHTA representatives that the parking issue in Philipsburg has become a priority for him. During his discussion with the SHTA Board members he intimated that he has garnered a great deal of information regarding the situation and had been working on finalizing certain plans which he hopes to put into effect within short. Some of the plans Marlin has were already mentioned in Parliament on Monday last week and includes replacing the exit to the Clem Labega Parking Lot in Front of the Government Administration Building which was for years closed off forcing motorists to wait in line when one or more vehicles were exiting or entering the lot. This situation has further thickened traffic on Cannegieter Street. Marlin also expressed his interest in the papers centralized Valet Parking option as well as a theme night for Philipsburg and giving businesses in Phillipsburg the option to be opened later as means of further revitalization of the Capital. The Minister pledged his support of the SHTA teams initiative and pledged to also encourage his fellow Ministers to support the plans.