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GRAND TURK
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5.5.0- GRAND TURK | ISLAND OVERVIEW
GRAND TURK OVERVIEW
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Grand Turk is the second most populous island and houses the capital of TCI, Cockburn Town. Grand Turk is the historic, governmental center of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The island is the second smallest of the inhabited islands and is the other half of the Turks Islands with Salt Cay. The employment make-up of Grand Turk, of the less than 5,000 people, stems from the tourism industry, a majority of which is from the Grand Turk Cruise Center and related businesses, and government employment. Grand Turk has a variety of neighborhoods with a range of housing typologies – estates, single-family homes, and multi-family. The main neighborhoods of Grand Turk include Cockburn Town, Over Back, Breezy Brae, and XXX. Grand Turk is home to the Grand Turk Lighthouse, National Museum, and numerous nearby dive and snorkeling sites, as well as historic salinas.
With Grand Turk being the historic and current center of governmental services, the island should condense and focus key services from specific, accessible locations rather than scattered locations. One or two key locations for governmental services will save time and money, while also allowing for easier cross-collaboration. It is recommended to house all services within a government center. Infrastructural upgrades should include sidewalks, street trees, and street lighting. The local population and tourists will both benefit from an established system of multi-use trails for pedestrians and bicyclists. Connected recreational areas, both formal and informal, will perpetuate an active and healthy community and link varying areas of interest for both locals and tourists.
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Cockburn Town has great potential as a mixed-use core for Grand Turk. The settlement has historic value, a central island location, a strong commercial presence along the major thoroughfare compared to other parts of the island, a cluster of governmental services, and great potential for being at the center of island catalytic projects.
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Strengthen | Historic Rehabilitation | Green Street | Pedestrian Promenade
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5.5.0- GRAND TURK | ISLAND OVERVIEW
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Front Street has great potential to grow Grand Turks establishment as a top-tier tourist destination. The street acts a pedestrian-friendly destination for tourists and locals. The entire linear corridor should be infilled with businesses and civic amenities; businesses geared towards tourists fill the southern end, such as boutique hotels, restaurants, bars, dive shops and hotels, local shops, and public spaces and beaches, while the northern end of the corridor and businesses along Pond Street are establishments geared more towards locals, such as the library, bank, local utilities, cultural and social gathering spaces, and civic infrastructure. The corridor has a mix of businesses around the center of the corridor that attract both local residents and tourists alike, such as the National Museum. By capitalizing on strengthening the Front Street corridor, the island can drive tourism dollars away from the cruise port and into the pockets of local residents and directly into the local economy. Front Street already contains the feeling of a one-of-a-kind place; it is recommended that Grand Turk capitalize on infill development, for hotels specifically, revitalization and rehabilitation of historic buildings and spaces, and infrastructure enhancements.
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Environmentally, Grand Turk should preserve all undeveloped land to the greatest extent. Currently, the island only retains 20% of the total land area as Crown Land. The island has sprawled to all coastlines and should focus on clustering development of similar land uses or compatible land uses together. Settlements should have a nodal center with supporting services for the residents, like community centers, public space, and local food supplies. Unfinished or incomplete developments should be prioritized for infill prior to new development proposals, especially those of residential use. Grand Turk has many established settlements that should be infilled with completed developments prior to allowing for new developments on greenfields or previously undeveloped land. This does not mean an increase in density, but rather, a full build out that will make the investment in necessary
TUR MOLORIAE RE NECATA SI DOLO EIUM FUGIA VOLENE SIN EST, QUAM DOLES ATET RENIS SAM ASSEQUAM, OMNIMUS ARUM ESTISTIA
254 TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Grand Turk consists of many natural and built wonders: Columbus Landfall National Park, numerous reefs, South Creek, Gibbs Cay, the Grand Turk Lighthouse, the National Museum, and beautiful beaches, among others. These natural wonders, cultural heritage sites, and historic amenities should be preserved and promoted.
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infrastructure worth it for the monetary cost. The South Creek National Park is the most critical natural habitat on Grand Turk. The area should be continually protected and celebrated for the ecosystem services it provides for the island. North Creek presents an interesting opportunity to promote a marina development that would be protected from the rough weather the coastline experiences during unpredictable storms. The proposed marina development would attract transient boaters and high-caliber tourists visiting Grand Turk for a short trip or a cruise stop.
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Grand Turk has a network of historic salinas that should be improved and capitalized on for economic opportunities. A large-scale infrastructure project could connect the Town Pond to the Red Salinas and further to the coastline. This connection would provide for the ‘flushing’ of the salinas, which will make them more attractive. The connected salinas could provide opportunities for waterfront dining, passive recreational activities, and a potential greenway or promenade granting connected access from the southernmost point of the salinas to the Town Pond and beyond. This large scale project could have great economic benefits for the local community and prove to be a huge asset to island beautification.
The Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC) is an important employment and tourism node on Grand Turk. The GTCC functions well for its internal purposes – to make money for the Carnival Cruise line but is lacking on its connection with the local community. There is currently a disconnect between the success of the GTCC and the local vendors, and therefore, indirectly, the local economy. The GTCC should integrate local vendors within the Center, compared to the current situation of allowing the vendors to set up shop on the outskirts. The terminal should expand to the northern coastline parcels to better integrate local, cultural retail and amenity services with the GTCC vendors, services, and businesses.
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The current landfill (dump) site is a present and future detriment to Grand Turk and its people. Presently, the site is an environmental disaster, leaking into the Town Pond, catching fire due to irresponsible waste disposal, and acting as a local eyesore for the adjacent properties and island as a whole. The site has exponential potential for site remediation and adaptive reuse. The government should issue a study for alternatives to waste disposal for a population of similar size to the Turks and Caicos Islands. A new landfill site should be selected while proposed study is being completed. Simultaneously, the government should hire a firm for site remediation of the current landfill site. There are numerous projects around the world, of varying cost, size, and level of intensity, that provide an example of a contaminated site that was remediated for healthy and safe human use. Site remediation is the only option for the current landfill site due to the severity of the detrimental effects on both the built and natural environment.
The Grand Turk Lighthouse is a historic find on the island. The site has turned into a tourism destination operated by a subsidy of the GTCC/Carnival. The area is out-of-the-way from other more popular destinations, such as Front Street. The lighthouse serves as an excellent destination from the GTCC, as it can be seen as an ‘adventure’ to reach. There is revitalization potential if the site is to be more closely tied with the vacant military base and local community college; this area can become a bigger hub for activity and implement more recreational opportunities.
• • • • • • •
Tourism vs Local Development Government Center Development Cluster Large-scale, BIG transformative projects Salinas Marina / North Creek Red for Grand Turk representing the red/pink fruit of the national plant, the Turks Head Cactus
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 255
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5 . 5 .1 - G R A N D T U R K | I S L A N D F R A M E W O R K N AT U R A L S Y S T E M S
A ER I A L
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PROTEC TED A R E A & N AT U R A L S Y S T E M S
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ELE VATION
AREAS OF O U T S TA N D I N G BEAUT Y
C R I T I C A L H A B I TAT
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V E G E TAT I O N
C O A S TA L R I S K
N AT U R A L C O M P O S I T E
256 TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
*REFER TO THE APPENDIX A3.1 FOR ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS DOCUMENTATION
A R E A S O F CU LTU R A L & H ISTORIC A L SIG N I FIC A NCE
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T R A N S P O R TAT I O N NETWORK
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B U I LT S Y S T E M S
SETTLEMENT & D E V E LO PM E N T N O D ES
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OWNERSHIP
B U I LT
COMPOSITE
*REFER TO THE APPENDIX A3.1 FOR ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS DOCUMENTATION TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 257
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5 . 5 .1 - G R A N D T U R K | I S L A N D F R A M E W O R K
LEG EN D Beach Entry
Key Nodes
Snorkeling
Existing Development
Historic Sites
Proposed Ferry Dock/Port
View Points
Proposed Marina
Airport
Proposed Resort/Hotels
Ferry Dock/Port
Points of Interest
Marina
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Settlements
Residential Development Area of Concern
National Park/Nature Reserve
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Proposed Agricultural Land Land to be Preserved Critical Areas Reefs
Historical Interest Beach/Waterfront Access Primary Circulation (Existing)
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Primary Circulation (Proposed) Secondary Circulation Potential Water Connections Potential Land Connections Greenway Trail/Promenade Salina Boundary
Photos: Agile LeVin Visit Turks and Caicos Islands (www.visittci.com)
258 TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
M A R I N A DE V ELOPM ENT P OTENTI A L Exceptional Opportunity Good Opportunity Moderate Potential
PLAN
H ISTORIC LIG HTH OUSE
NORTHEAST POINT
COLU M BUS L A N DFA LL M A R I N E N ATIO N A L PA R K
GRAND TURK FRAMEWORK PLAN
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RESIDENTIAL ESTATE LOTS P OTENTI A L MARINA
NORTH CREEK
NORTH W ELLS N ATU R E RESERV E
PILLORY BEACH
NORTH WELLS
P OTENTI A L FER RY TER M I N A L
RESIDENTIAL SM A LLER LOTS / M U LTI - FA M I LY H ISTORIC I NTER EST TOW N SA LI N A / R ED SA LI N A “ ECO TOU RISM ”
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NORTH CREEK GATE WAY
GRAND TURK SALT SALINAS
- P OTENTI A L I M PROV EM ENT F O R WATER Q UA LIT Y
TOWN POND
NATIONAL MUSEUM
L A N DFI LL SITE REM EDIATION
THE SALT HOUSE
NORTH SOUTH
FRONT STREE T
-TOU R IS M / H OS PITA LIT Y
- FER RY DOCK
H ERITAG E GATE WAY
COCKBU RN TOW N
MASTERSONS POINT
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- DOW NTOW N - R E V ITA LIZ ATI O N F O R LOC A L US E - M I X ED US E
ENGLISH POINT CONCH WORLD
G I B BS C AY LAND AND SEA N ATIO N A L PA R K
AIRPORT
A I R P O RT GATE WAY N ATU R E RESERV E GOVERNOR ’ S MANSION
SOUTH CREEK N ATIO N A L PA RK
SOUTH WELLS WATERLOO GOLF COURSE
SOUTH W ELLS N ATU R E RESERV E
GOVERNOR’S BEACH
- PRO P OS ED H OTEL S ITE EXISTING PORT & FERRY TERMINAL
GUN HILL
P OTENTI A L MARINA CRUISE CENTER
SNORKELI NG REEFS
* Refer to enlargements on the following pages
BOABY ROCK POINT
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5 . 5 .1 - G R A N D T U R K | I S L A N D F R A M E W O R K
NORTH
NORTHEAST POINT
H ISTORIC LIG HTH OUSE
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CO LU M BUS L A N DFA LL M A R I N E N ATIO N A L PA R K
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RESIDENTIAL ESTATE LOTS P OTENTI A L MARINA
NORTH CREEK
PILLORY BEACH
NORTH WELLS
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N ORTH W ELLS N ATU R E RESERV E
N ORTH CREEK GATE WAY
GRAND TURK SALT SALINAS TOWN POND NATIONAL MUSEUM
THE SALT HOUSE
FRONT
ENLARGEMENT 260 TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
P OTENTI A L FER RY TER M I N A L RESIDENTIAL SM A LLER LOTS / M U LTI - FA M I LY H ISTORIC I NTER EST TOW N SA LI N A / R ED SA LI N A “ ECO TOU RISM ” - P OTENTI A L I M PROV EM ENT F O R WATER Q UA LIT Y
L A N DFI LL SITE REM EDIATION
SOUTH I M PROV EM ENT F O WATER Q UA LIT Y
POND TOWN P OND NATIONAL MUSEUM
L A N DFI LL SI REM EDI ATIO EDIATIO
THE SALT HOUSE
FRONT STREE T
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-TOU R IS M / H OS PITA LIT Y - FER RY DOCK
H ERITAG E GATE WAY
COCKBU RN TOW N
MASTERSONS POINT
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- DOW NTOW N - R E V ITA LIZ ATI O N F O R LOC A L US E - M I X ED US E ENGLISH POINT
CONCH WORLD
AIRPORT
A I R P O RT GATE WAY N ATU R E RESERV E GOVERNOR ’ S MANSION
SOUTH CREEK N ATIO N A L PA RK
SOUTH WELLS
WATERLOO GOLF COURSE
SOUTH W ELLS N ATU R E RESERV E
GOVERNOR’S BEACH
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- PRO P OS ED H OTEL S ITE
EXISTING PORT & FERRY TERMINAL
GUN HILL
P OTENTI A L MARINA CRUISE CENTER
SNORKELI NG REEFS BOABY ROCK POINT
ENLARGEMENT TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 261
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5.5.2- GRAND TURK | LAND USE
LEG EN D Park Open Space Park Local Park Reserve
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Park National
Agriculture Farming & Food Production Commercial Tourism / Hospitality Commercial Local Mixed Use
Infrastructure / Civic
D
R A
Industrial Airport
Infrastructure Utilities Future Community Development (Residential / Open Space) Residential High Density Residential Medium Density Residential Low Density A Residential Low Density B Residential Low Density C
Photos: Agile LeVin Visit Turks and Caicos Islands (www.visittci.com)
262 TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
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GRAND TURK PROPOSED LANDUSE PLAN
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PLAN
NORTH SOUTH
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FRONT STREET AAP
SOUTHWEST GTCC AAP
* Refer to enlargements on the following pages TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 263
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5.5.2- GRAND TURK | LAND USE
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NORTH
ENLARGEMENT 264 TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
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SOUTH
ENLARGEMENT TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 265
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5.5.3- GRAND TURK | AREA ACTION PLAN
FRONT STREET STRENGTHEN | HISTORIC REHABILITATION | GREEN STREET | PEDESTRIAN PROMENADE
OPPORTUNITIES • Housing: apartments, short term housing on the northern end • Development: promenade along entire corridor South: hospitality infill; pedestrian green street Central: historic site redevelopment and rehabilitation; public space redevelopment North: hospitality infill, historic site redevelopment and rehabilitation, public space redevelopment • Preservation: preserve beach from erosion; preserve historic character • Infrastructure: maintain utilities as needed; add ferry stop within central Front Street
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Front Street is the hub of tourism – historic, cultural, marine – of Grand Turk. The street is long in length and can become more of a pedestrian-focused corridor with a mix uses featuring hospitality, local commercial, historic and cultural tourism, and open space. The feel is a seaside village with narrow streets and whitewashed boundary walls that bring historical character that otherwise does not exist anywhere else in TCI.
development should line salinas; eastern salinas should be connected to create natural amenity of attraction for greenway/multi-use trail to follow.
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Downtown Grand Turk should be allocated resources to maintain and develop the area into a mixed-use hub surrounded by residential neighborhood(s). Development should fall in line with historic, island character; empty lots should be developed under strict architectural and economic guidelines that places controls on the developer or owner in so far as it allows development. Commercial
266 TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Park Open Space
Commercial Local
Park Reserve
Mixed Use
Park Local
Infrastructure / Civic
Agriculture Farming & Food Production
Industrial
Commercial Tourism / Hospitality
Airport
CO N CPark E P T: S T R E N G T H E N | H I S TO R I C R E H A B I LCommercial I TAT I O NLocal | G R E E N S T R E E T | P E D EInfrastructure S T R I A N Utilities PROMENADE Open Space • B u i l d u p o n h i s t o r i c , c u l t u r a l , m a r i n e , a n d t o u r i s m c o re o f t h e i s l a n d • O p pPark o r t uReserve n i t y t o b e c o m e m o re o f a p e d e s t r i a n - fo cMixed u s e dUse c o r r i d o r w i t h a m i x u s e s fe a t uResidential r i n g h o sMedium p i t a l i tDensity y, l o c a l c o mPark m e rc i a l , h i s t o r i c a n d c u l t u r a l t o u r i s m , a n d o p e n s p a c e Infrastructure / Civic Residential Low Density A Local • S o u t h: h o s p i t a l i t y i n f i l l; p e d e s t r i a n g re e n s t re e t Industrial Food • C e nAgriculture t r a l: h i s tFarming o r i c s &i te re Production d e v e l o p m e n t a n d re h a b i l i t a t i o n; p u b l i c s p a c e re d e v e l o p m e n tResidential Low Density B • N o r tCommercial h: h o s p i Tourism t a l i t y i/ nHospitality f i l l , h i s t o r i c s i te re d e v e l o p m Airport e n t a n d re h a b i l i t a t i o n , p u b l i c s p a c e Residential re d e v e lLow opm ent C Density Infrastructure Utilities
Commercial Local
R E S I DMixed E N TUse IAL
Residential Medium Density Residential Low Density A
Industrial
Residential Low Density B
Airport
Residential Low Density C
Infrastructure Utilities
M I X E D U S E CO M M E R C I A L Density + H OSResidential P I TA L I TMedium Y Residential Low Density A
B E AC H ACC E S S A LO N G Residential Low Density B GREEN WAY CO R R I D O R S Residential Low Density C
H I S TO R I C P R E S E R VAT I O N A LO N G F R O N T S T R E E T B E AC H ACC E S S A LO N G G R E E N WAY CO R R I D O R S
PUBLIC
AACP PA LEGEND RK
AACP LEGEND
R A
C I V I C C E N T E R , H I S TO R I C P R E S E R VAT I O N
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Infrastructure / Civic
AC T I VAT E P U B L I C G R E E N WAY
AACP LEGEND
PUBLIC REALM INTERVENTIONS A LO N G G R E E N WAY, T Y P.
F LU S H E X I S T I N G S A L I N A S TO E N H A N C E WAT E R Q UA L I T Y. C R E AT E WAT E R F R O N T D E V E LO P M E N T
D
CO M M E R C I A L F R O N TAG E A LO N G P O N D S T R E E T, M I X E D U S E CO M M E R C I A L / TO U R I S M / H OT E L A LO N G F R O N T S T R E E T
CO M M E R C I A L F R O N TAG E A LO N G H I G H WAY T H R O U G H O U T I S L A N D
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TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 267
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
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5.5.3- GRAND TURK | AREA ACTION PLAN
SOUTHWEST / GTCC could be used for attractive viewsheds. This area has high potential for offering cruise passengers opportunities for recreation.
The Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC) is a hub of activity for tourists. While the center is a node, there is could be a better landmark or welcoming entry for those leaving the GTCC to explore the island. Comparatively to other international cruise terminals, the GTCC does not have as much interaction and incorporation with the local vendors. The cruise terminal amentities should integrate more with opportunities for local vendors that will bring more to the local residents.
Governor’s Beach is a great local beach; the beach should continue as with its secluded, natural state, while promoting pop-up activities, such as food trucks, summer Fish Frys, and other cultural event opportunities. The adjacent Governor’s House could be capitalized upon for historic and cultural tourism.
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REVITALIZE | RESIDENTIAL INFILL | PUBLIC AMENITIES
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Due to the proximity to the airport, industrial uses should cluster along the adjacent parcels. It will be important to buffer these parcels, as the GTCC passengers will be passing by to explore the northern part of the island.
OPPORTUNITIES • Development: consider densifying and providing commercial and mixed-use opportunties to the parcels north of the GTCC; infill along the beach with local vendors, shops, and restaurants for tourists. • Preservation: preserve green, open space; create a network of multi-use trails to connect to broader Grand Turk; preservation of salinas for natural viepoints • Infrastructure: update utilities necessary
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The picturesque Hawkes Nest area and salina should tie opportunities for passive and active recreation to the South Wells Nature Reserve. The Hawkes Nest area and its hills
268 TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Park Open Space
Commercial Local
Park Reserve
Mixed Use
Park Local
Infrastructure / Civic
Agriculture Farming & Food Production
Industrial
Commercial Tourism / Hospitality
Airport
Park Open Space
Commercial Local
Infrastructure Utilities
Park Reserve
Mixed Use
Residential Medium Density
Park Local
Infrastructure / Civic
Residential Low Density A
Agriculture Farming & Food Production
Industrial
Residential Low Density B
Commercial Tourism / Hospitality
Airport
Residential Low Density C
Commercial Local
Infrastructure Utilities
Industrial
CO N T I N U O U S WAT EAirport RFRONT G R E EInfrastructure N WAY Utilities Residential Medium Density Residential Low Density A Residential Low Density B Residential Low Density C
Residential Low Density A Residential Low Density B Residential Low Density C
SOUTH WELLS N AT U R E RESERVE
AACP LEGEND
AACP LEGEND
R A
GREEN BUFFER TO I N D U S T R I A L USE AREAS
Residential Medium Density
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G OV E R N O R ’ S Mixed Use B E AC H + (O L D) R E S I DInfrastructure E N C E / Civic
P OT E N T I A L F O R MAACP A R I N ALEGEND D E V E LO P M E N T
H AW K E S NEST SALINA
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LANDMARK OPPORTUNNIT Y OPPORTUNIT Y TO C R E AT E CO N N E C T I O N TO THE SEA CRUISE PORT
RESORT OFFERINGS CENTERED ON DIVE SPORTS LOW - P R O F I L E H OS P I TA L I T Y OFFERING (SNORKLING)
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TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS | DRAFT NATIONAL PHYSICAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 269