Hamilton could get a new office block with apartments after the Development Applications Board this week gave approval in principle for a new six-storey building on Church Street.

If developers go ahead, they will demolish the LA White Building on the junction of Church Street and Par-la-Ville Road to erect the new complex.

The building, which housed the former Buckaroo Restaurant, has been empty for several years.

The Corporation of Hamilton is keen to breathe new life into the city by encouraging more residential developments.

And the new City of Hamilton plan has the option of allowing developers an extra floor if they include a residential component in their buildings.

Former Premier Sir John Swan is building a major 76-apartment complex between Victoria and Dundonald Streets.

The application for the five-storey office and one-storey residential building in Church Street has been submitted by Corner Development.

First Bermuda Securities Ltd. is a shareholder in Corner Development and part owner of the LA White Building.

Bermuda Project Managers Ltd. was given planning approval for a multi-purpose building with the apartments on the same site in September last year. It is not known if there is any relationship between Corner Development and Bermuda Project Managers.

Yesterday, Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Roger Sherratt warned that development on the site will be difficult because of the busy junction between Par-la-Ville Road and Church Street.

"It is a very awkward location to be doing major construction,'' he said.

"It is an extremely busy junction with traffic lights and gets very busy but this is the type of problem we face in the city.

"A lot of congestion will take place and they will have to take care of pedestrians by extending the walkway and probably having a crane.'' HAMILTON HAM