Be Resilient
In playing their part to redevelop Downtown Kingston, the Government of Jamaica recently announced that they have earmarked J$92 Million for the relocation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to downtown Kingston on the site of the current Police Area 4 headquarters. High office rental costs in New Kingston may have spurred this decision. A year ago, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) outlined a list of development initiatives to be implemented in downtown Kingston over 24 months. Among the projects mentioned were the refurbishment of the UDC developed structures along the waterfront; development of a hotel and apartment complex to the east on the old Myrtle Bank property; the construction of a state-of-the-art police facility along the west end; the construction of a major operational base for one of the country's leading security conglomerates; construction of a multi-level parking facility along Orange Street; the development of low-income housing solutions under a
pilot programme to test desirability and sustainability of the model proposed and the continued build-out and reordering of the market district. Recently the UDC launched a series of consultative sessions called ‘The Downtown Kingston Exchange’ to generate ideas on how to streamline the redevelopment of the area. UDC Chairman K. D. Knight acknowledged that while there are challenges none of them are insurmountable. The general sentiment among many is that slowly but surely life is returning to the area. One day soon Downtown Kingston should be the place to relax, take the children, shop and later attend a party that extends into the early hours of the night and from which you can access your vehicle and drive home in relative peace and safety. Hopefully this dream is one that materialises in our lifetime.
Places & Spaces
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