Residents upset by what they deem an ugly eyesore being built at the American Consulate General's office in Devonshire are missing the point according to US Consul General Denis Coleman Jr.

He said the building is part of a multimillion dollar security upgrade after terrorist attacks on US targets around the world.

One letter writer in The Royal Gazette said the security outpost set slightly back from Middle Road resembled a bomb shelter while another described it as a hideous fortress.

Mr. Coleman Jr. replied: “I would hope people would look at the security upgrade and view it as a symbol and look at the thought process behind it and how serious we view international terrorism.

“This is a substantial expenditure of funds, we're doing this all around the world and people are complaining about the aesthetics.

“We are trying to make the aesthetics conform as much as possible. To the extent that people want only to view the aesthetics, they're missing the point and it's a serious point they could be missing.

“I have tried to make that point in several venues. These are serious things.”

He said the more security was upgraded the less likely a terrorist attack was likely to happen here.

And US Consul Jennifer Schools said the new controlled access centre (CAC) building won't offend when it is finished.

She said: “Anything is an eyesore during construction.

“We don't want to comment until it is finished and people can see for themselves.

“We went to a lot of trouble to have it in a Bermuda style which would fit in with local architecture.”

Also included in the work is a nine foot perimeter wall/fence, a vehicle barrier at the gate, hardening of the ground floor interior walls and installation of blast-proof windows.

The United States government chose to update security provisions at its overseas embassies and consulates following bombings at two African embassies four years ago.