Almost three months after he was ordered to halt demolition of the Greyfriars Church of Scotland, Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, owner Alfred Galy has submitted a method statement to the Port-of-Spain City Corporation indicating how he intends to proceed with cleaning and clearing the site. Galy, through his attorneys Ronald Dowlat and Anthony Manwah, tendered the detailed statement on February 12.
Corporation officials confirmed receipt of the statement, which had been forwarded to their attorney Kerwyn Garcia. In a brief interview yesterday, a senior corporation official said the statement “was in order.” The next court hearing will take place this week.
The official revealed that Galy had addressed several issues, including how he plans to safely approach further demolition, clear the site of rubble and other debris, safe removal of the asbestos roof and other conditions he would adhere to if he continued with the demolition.
Adding that their concern did not lie with Galy’s decision on whether or not he intended to preserve the remaining structure, the official said: “The Corporation is concerned with the structural and safety aspects, and we have also asked him to tell us how he intends to show up the facade that remains.” Discussions are said to be continuing between Galy and the Ministry of Diversity to determine the next step.
Calls to both cell phones for Galy and Minister Rodger Samuel yesterday went unanswered. The Council of the National Trust has gazetted its intention to list the Greyfriars Church of Scotland as a heritage site. The church is to be named as part of the Woodford Square Historical District.
Dated December 8, 2014, the Notice of Intention to List was signed by chairman of the Trust Prof Winston Suite. The description lists the site as “Two contiguous parcels of land in the City of Port-of-Spain comprising 1,791.1 square metres on which are located the Greyfriars Church and Hall, numbered 50 and 52 Frederick Street, Port of Spain. Bounded on the north by 54 Frederick Street, on the south by 48 Frederick Street, 66 and 68 Prince Street, on the east by 52, 53, 55 and 57 Henry Street.”
During the demolition on November 30, workmen bulldozed the church hall and the northern wall of the building. The eastern, western and southern walls remained standing, but were exposed to the elements as workmen were prevented from entering the site due to an injunction secured by the Corporation to prevent any further demolition.