An official at the Mayor's Office in Jeddah has said that the previous administration tasked with developing the north Corniche prior to the floods of late November 2009 had committed errors “at a rate of 70 percent”. According to the official, the previous mistakes led to the formation a few months ago of a new work team to develop the area in accordance with an approved plan that will retain most of the tourist sites in the zone. “The north Corniche will see fundamental studied changes in services to revive tourism in Jeddah and make it the most attractive part of the Red Sea coastline,” the official said. The new mayoralty work team recently obtained approval for its plans and they are currently being looked at by an investment company, with the final conclusions and blueprints expected to be ready within the next ten months. Bahjat Hamouh, the mayoralty's head of Trees and Gardens, said that the plans included “numerous new services” with green spaces and an infrastructure services tunnel running the length of the Corniche. “The services most notable for their absence will be provided,” Hamouh said. “There will also be wireless internet available, rest areas, swimming pools, and games and amusements areas.” Saudi Gazette reported on April 24 the increasing dismay of visitors to the Jeddah seafront during the school half-term holidays, with many complaining of trash, crumbling facilities, falling lamp posts and exposed electrical fittings. “I couldn't believe what I saw,” said one visitor at the north Corniche. “You're led to believe you're going to see something wonderful but suddenly you're confronted with a sight where everything clearly needs rebuilding or renovating. It's certainly not what you would expect of a city with the history of Jeddah and which is known as the “Bride of the Red Sea'.” An official at the Mayor's Office said that national companies were conducting public works at the Corniche worth SR100 million and which are expected to be completed in two years.
