In October last year, residents of Six Men's voiced fears that they would be forced to move because of two proposed projects for the area – a fishing complex and a private development at Retreat, an area to the south of Six Men's.
Arthur said Friday evening that at least one road and some houses would have to be removed if the project went ahead.
He was speaking at the official opening of the re-developed Speightstown Esplanade and fish market.
The gathering of more than 200 people heard from Government and Barbados Tourism Investment Incorporated (BTII) officials that with $12 million already spent, there were more projects coming in the bid to turn Speightstown into a booming business and cultural centre.
Buildings of historical importance, including two ancient forts, are to get a facelift, with one of them to be turned into a museum, Arthur said.
The Prime Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for St Peter, said plans "are now virtually finalised to build a fishing complex and entertainment centre at Six Men's, along the lines of the two facilities that now exist at Oistins".
He reported that these plans would be discussed with residents before any action was taken.
"I ask this evening for the understanding of the people of the district when change has to be carried out because we can only build a fishing complex and an entertainment centre in Six Men's if we move the road and if we move some of the houses from near the beach," he said.
"We want, in re-developing the Six Men's community, to keep it together as a community where people work, where they live, where they pray and where they have a sense of identity and we want to do so in a manner that improves its working and living conditions, not to hurt the community."
Last year Arthur, in clearing the air, said no decision had been taken to resite the residents of Six Men's. There were only proposals on the table, he said.
He said then that the notion Government was seeking to push people off the land was baseless.
Please see
Pages 22A and 23A.