The long-delayed Sunshine Hub Car Park project in St. John’s is expected to resume within the next 90 days, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced.
Speaking in Parliament, Browne said the National Assets Management Company (NAMCO) has been working to secure the necessary funding to complete the long-stalled project. He also revealed that engineering assessments are being conducted to determine the extent of repairs needed before construction resumes.
“NAMCO has done some cleanup work, and they are now in the process of raising funds to restart the project,” Browne said. “We anticipate that work could recommence within 90 days, but the car park section of the facility has been significantly compromised, so engineering studies are ongoing to determine how we move forward.”
The multi-level car park, initially constructed under the former United Progressive Party (UPP) administration, has been idle for years. Originally designed to ease parking congestion in the capital, the structure has remained unused due to reported structural deficiencies.
Browne criticized the previous administration for what he described as poor planning and execution, suggesting that the facility was not built to the necessary standards. However, opposition members argue that the government has had ample time to address any deficiencies and complete the project.
While the Prime Minister provided a rough timeline for the restart, no firm completion date was given. The government is still in the process of securing financing, raising questions about whether the project could face further delays.
The Sunshine Hub Car Park is seen as a key infrastructure project for St. John’s, intended to alleviate traffic congestion and improve accessibility for businesses in the capital. However, until construction resumes and financing is secured, the future of the project remains uncertain.
