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Lee Chin, investors push Port Antonio resurgence
published: Saturday | November 3, 2007
Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva (right) gets a spectacular view of Portland's Blue Lagoon aboard the helicopter on the return trip from Portland last Friday. National Commercial Bank's Chairman Michael Lee Chin toured his tourism-related and other investment projects with the ambassador, Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz and The Gleaner.- Photo by Barbara Ellington
PORT ANTONIO, Portland:
Jamaican billionaire and businessman, Michael Lee Chin, is spearheading a team of investors, who along with other local interests in Portland, are seeking to rebuild the image and potential of that parish - reminiscent to its former glory days.
Born in Portland, Mr. Lee Chin explained to business operators, hoteliers and other interests, last week, that during the past 40 to 50 years, Port Antonio has been neglected. A fact, he says, must no longer be tolerated.
He pointed out that changes have to be made to the parish infrastructure, which is why the construction of the $200 million state-of-the-art courthouse at Bryan's Bay is an important part to that change.
"The design and fashion of the courthouse will set a standard as to the type of buildings, which are required for Port Antonio," said Mr. Lee Chin.
two main buildings
"Port Antonio is getting two main buildings, the new courthouse - along with the restoration of the old courthouse. We are hoping that both initiatives will catalyse citizens of Port Antonio to take charge of their own plot," he added.
The construction of a new courthouse became a reality after the old one was damaged by fire more than three years ago. The loss of the courthouse resulted in undue hardships on not only the police, but also ordinary citizens who have been forced to travel 18 miles to Buff Bay for court sessions and in some instances, 23 miles to Manchioneal.
But the courthouse construction is only the tip of the iceberg, as Mr. Lee Chin explained that the redevelopment of the Titchfield peninsula will be a signal for the start of high-level development slated for Port Antonio.
He said that the Titchfield peninsula is the first project which will be undertaken by his team in collaboration with the Portland Parish Council.
The first step of this project is to rebuild the infrastructure, including light, roads, sewerage, drainage, and landscaping in that area. The project, amounted to $32 million, of which Mr. Lee Chin has already provided $10 million. Local Government is to provide $5.5 million, while the Tourism Enhancement Fund provided the remainder by way of lobbying.
The $32 million was initially required to do the roadway, sidewalks, landscaping and lighting, but according to Mr. Lee Chin, they have to ensure first that the pipes, which are to be laid, are adequate. The project is to also include the construction of a 400-room hotel to replace the old Titchfield hotel which was destroyed by fire many years ago.
published: Saturday | November 3, 2007
Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva (right) gets a spectacular view of Portland's Blue Lagoon aboard the helicopter on the return trip from Portland last Friday. National Commercial Bank's Chairman Michael Lee Chin toured his tourism-related and other investment projects with the ambassador, Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz and The Gleaner.- Photo by Barbara Ellington
PORT ANTONIO, Portland:
Jamaican billionaire and businessman, Michael Lee Chin, is spearheading a team of investors, who along with other local interests in Portland, are seeking to rebuild the image and potential of that parish - reminiscent to its former glory days.
Born in Portland, Mr. Lee Chin explained to business operators, hoteliers and other interests, last week, that during the past 40 to 50 years, Port Antonio has been neglected. A fact, he says, must no longer be tolerated.
He pointed out that changes have to be made to the parish infrastructure, which is why the construction of the $200 million state-of-the-art courthouse at Bryan's Bay is an important part to that change.
"The design and fashion of the courthouse will set a standard as to the type of buildings, which are required for Port Antonio," said Mr. Lee Chin.
two main buildings
"Port Antonio is getting two main buildings, the new courthouse - along with the restoration of the old courthouse. We are hoping that both initiatives will catalyse citizens of Port Antonio to take charge of their own plot," he added.
The construction of a new courthouse became a reality after the old one was damaged by fire more than three years ago. The loss of the courthouse resulted in undue hardships on not only the police, but also ordinary citizens who have been forced to travel 18 miles to Buff Bay for court sessions and in some instances, 23 miles to Manchioneal.
But the courthouse construction is only the tip of the iceberg, as Mr. Lee Chin explained that the redevelopment of the Titchfield peninsula will be a signal for the start of high-level development slated for Port Antonio.
He said that the Titchfield peninsula is the first project which will be undertaken by his team in collaboration with the Portland Parish Council.
The first step of this project is to rebuild the infrastructure, including light, roads, sewerage, drainage, and landscaping in that area. The project, amounted to $32 million, of which Mr. Lee Chin has already provided $10 million. Local Government is to provide $5.5 million, while the Tourism Enhancement Fund provided the remainder by way of lobbying.
The $32 million was initially required to do the roadway, sidewalks, landscaping and lighting, but according to Mr. Lee Chin, they have to ensure first that the pipes, which are to be laid, are adequate. The project is to also include the construction of a 400-room hotel to replace the old Titchfield hotel which was destroyed by fire many years ago.
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