The announcement of the change was first made in January by Health Minister Terese Baptise Cornelis.
Read the story: Chancery Lane Complex to be part of Sando hospital; Oncology Centre coming soon
Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal, whose portfolio includes responsibility for UDeCOTT, said Tuesday the billion-dollar complex will be more beneficial to citizens if it is converted for use as a health care facility in South Trinidad.
He said technical experts have already approved plans to convert the structure to a hospital, which will ease the overcrowding at the neighbouring San Fernando General Hospital.
UDeCOTT chair Jearlene John said she hopes to commission the building by December 2011.
The Chancery Lane Complex, which was started by the former Manning PNM administration, was supposed to be one of several major development projects for South Trinidad.
The 300,000 square feet complex was designed to include:
- a 10-storey office tower, with rooftop atrium suitable for private corporate functions
- three storeys of retail space, which include shopping areas and a food court facility
- A 50,000 sq. ft., 2-storey public library area
- Three storeys of public car parking facilities, with additional parking on the external grounds of the facility and
- Facilities for the disabled, including access ramps and washrooms
UDeCOTT began work on the complex in 2005 at an original cost of $296 million. It was 85 per cent completed in 2010 at a cost of $440 million when contractors abandoned the site.
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