MP for Port-of-Spain North/St Anns West Stuart Young was left disappointed on Monday evening because of the low turnout of persons as the Port-of-Spain City corporation held a consultation about a plan to transform part of Charlotte Street into Chinatown.
Mayor Joel Martinez spoke to stakeholders, including east Port-of-Spain residents and Charlotte Street vendors, and explained that the initiative will bring trade, tourism, and structure to the streets of the city.
He said Charlotte Street was chosen for the initiative because there are already established Chinese communities there.
But MP for the area Stuart Young said he was disappointed with the low turn out of stakeholders for the consultation.
Many seats were left empty during the talks.
However, MP Young said while he was not pleased with the interest shown by stakeholders he noted that “it always is the few in our communities who lead and take the rest along with them.”
The area to be designated Chinatown is the section of Charlotte Street between Park Street and Independence Square.
Archways are to be built by the Shanghai Construction Group to identify the area.
Vendors and residents at the consultation welcomed the plan but took issue with the design of the arches and suggested a different colour scheme.
They also called for further beautification projects throughout the street to go along with the project.
Meanwhile, Mayor Martinez assured the transformation of Charlotte Street into Chinatown would provide many benefits to the nation’s capital and breathe new life into the previously under-developed eastern Port-of-Spain area.