Marginal Wharf could be in line for a facelift after the landowners opened up the area to development plans.

The berth has been blighted by the rusting hull of the Niobe Corinthian, while the surrounding land on Southside has become run down over the last few decades.

But now landowners, the Bermuda Land Development Company (BLDC), is looking for an entrepreneur to provide ‘innovative development proposals’ for the site.

And according to St George Mayor Garth Rothwell, plans are being put in place to remove the Niobe Corinthian from the dock.

Mr Rothwell and St George’s MP Kenneth Bascome welcomed the news that the BLDC is looking to reinvent the area, which is plagued by boarded up buildings and rusting machinery.

And Mr Bascome told The Royal Gazette that he believes Marginal Wharf should become the Island’s new container docks.

He said: “I have been saying that something needs to be done with Marginal Wharf for years.

“I feel overwhelmed that Government and the BLDC have taken this step and seen the value in this area of waterfront.

“This is a huge opportunity to create activity for the East End, but also for the whole of Bermuda.

“I earnestly believe that Marginal Wharf could be used as a container port, and it could be the port to accept the gravel too.

“This would allow Penno’s to be used solely as an access way to the International Heritage Site and be developed as a first class marina and cruise ship hub.

“As it stands now Penno’s is the only area at which gravel can be delivered into Bermuda.

‘At present I don’t believe anyone is going to invest in Penno’s Wharf because every three months or so there is a large delivery or aggregate.”

A large public notice, in which the BLDC asked for expressions of interest in Marginal or ‘Ships’ Wharf, appeared in yesterday’s Royal Gazette.

People interested in putting forward a proposal for the land have until October 17 to make their submissions.

The appeal for proposals comes after years of inactivity in the area.

Mr Bascome added: “The area around Marginal Wharf is an eyesore and has been such for a long time. “This area has huge potential and if some interested parties come forward it could be a huge infusion into the economy.

“I would like to see a local consortium step in and take the initiative.

“We constantly hear people talking about how Bermudians should be given more opportunities.

“Here is an opportunity for our entrepreneurs.

“As for the Niobe Corinthian; something needs to be done to get rid of this eyesore and hopefully this opportunity will enable that to happen.

“The longer we leave it the more dilapidated it will become.”

At present the land around Marginal Wharf is occupied by a handful of boat yards and tradesmen, and large areas of the site have become overgrown and fallen into disrepair.

The area around the wharf has become a hotbed of development debate, as plans to overhaul Hamilton’s Waterfront have come to the fore. Plans to develop the Hamilton Waterfront would inevitably mean that the docks would need to be moved elsewhere.

And many, including Mr Bascome, say that Marginal Wharf is the best alternative location for the docks.

Mr Rothwell revealed that Marine and Ports were working on the Niobe Corinthian at present with a view to removing it from the dock at Marginal Wharf.

He said: “They are cleaning it up and getting it ready to be removed.

“The sooner it goes the better.

“If a hurricane hits it and it sinks we will be in real trouble.”

Mr Rothwell added: “There has been quite a lot of interest recently in St George’s on both sides of the harbour.

“With the marina we have now signed a memorandum of understanding with SGHM.

“We have now engaged a lawyer to draw up the contract and the lease. We will be releasing more information next week on this.

“And now with the announcement that BLDC are looking for expressions of interest for Marginal Wharf that is obviously good news too.

“It is certainly a possible site for a container docks. Anything that brings activity into St George’s Harbour will be looked on with favour.

“The harbour itself is a real asset and it’s good to see some movement on the Marginal Wharf front.

“This is good news so long as it is not used as a marina.”

The Gazette tried to contact the BLDC as well as Government for comment on this story, but we did not receive a response.