The government has approved the engagement of an international coastal engineering firm to begin the next phase of the planned Fort James Renaissance Park project, commissioning scientific studies that will guide the redevelopment of one of Antigua and Barbuda’s best-known beaches.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant announced during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing that Cabinet approved the hiring of Smith Warner International Limited to undertake a comprehensive baseline coastal assessment and preliminary engineering design for Fort James Beach.

Merchant said the work follows the government’s recent commitment of EC$5 million toward the redevelopment of Fort James into what it envisions as a world-class recreational, tourism and cultural destination.

He said the coastal assessment is necessary because Fort James Beach has experienced varying levels of erosion over the years, making it essential that any redevelopment be based on sound scientific analysis and engineering expertise.

According to Merchant, the study will examine shoreline stability, erosion patterns, sediment movement, wave and current conditions, climate resilience and the long-term sustainability of proposed interventions.

Smith Warner International will serve as the lead coastal engineering consultant and will oversee coastal process assessments, numerical modelling, options analysis, preliminary engineering designs and recommendations for beach restoration and long-term shoreline stability.

Merchant said the consultancy team will work with regional and international experts, as well as local stakeholders, to ensure the proposed solutions are environmentally responsible, technically sound and appropriate for Antigua and Barbuda’s coastal conditions.

Responding to questions following the briefing, Merchant said the previously announced EC$5 million allocation represents only the initial investment in the project.

He said the overall redevelopment is expected to cost “hundreds of millions of dollars” and will be financed through a combination of government funding and public-private partnerships rather than by the government alone.

The Fort James Renaissance Park project forms part of the administration’s broader strategy to redevelop key tourism assets while expanding investment opportunities through partnerships with the private sector.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Fort James Redevelopment Advances with Coastal Assessment Contract.