courtesy of: Aruba-Daily News
Work is now underway on an urban renewal project in Oranjestad, the capital of the Caribbean island of Aruba.
More than $ 9 m is being invested in the construction of a National Historic Centre, which will house a collection of artefacts and information about the destination’s heritage. The new attraction will be part of a group of government buildings surrounding the common plaza area.
Another aspect of the initiative is the revamp of the busiest section of LG Smith Boulevard, Oranjestad’s main thoroughfare, which will be pedestrianised for the benefit of locals and tourists. The Court Building and Water Tower are also being restored, along with Main Street and Bestuurskantoor, the road running behind the local government offices.
Travellers visiting Aruba during cruise holidays will soon be able to enjoy uninterrupted views of Oranjestad as they arrive following the removal of the tanks of the container wharf currently located in Barcadera.
One of the most distinctive characteristics of the city is its pastel-coloured, gingerbread house-style architecture, a legacy of the Dutch conquest of Aruba in 1636.
