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ASKA THE QUESTIONS
Mark Cummings
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Montegonians have long called for a public park where residents, as well as visitors to the resort city of Montego Bay can relax, exercise or be entertained.
Little wonder then that when former junior tourism minister, Wykeham McNeil, announced nearly two years ago that his government would be spending $27 million to develop a park at the 'old hospital site' in Montego Bay, the idea received much support.
McNeil said that the facility, which would be ready in time for the opening of Cricket World Cup 2007, would include a children's corner, three kiosks, an information booth, bathrooms, a police post and two confectionery stands to provide snack items.
He said the project had the support of that city's stakeholders.
He added that the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry had given its commitment to have the facility maintained.
But to date, work to transform the three-acre property is yet to begin.
With the change of government last September and the supposedly 'new thinking' by the new administration, it now appears that the planned development will not become a reality- at least not in the fashion it was proposed by the former People's National Party (PNP's) administration.
Earlier this month, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) chairman and past president of the Chamber, Godfrey Dyer, announced that he had been advised by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC)- which owns the property- that they were no longer going ahead with the project. He said they had suggested instead, that the money-which was being provided by the TEF- be used to develop the Dump Up Beach property, located near downtown Montego Bay.
The announcement apparently infuriated chamber president Pauline Reid who had consistently called for work to commence to develop the park at the old hospital site.
"This is the only green space along Gloucester Avenue with the capacity for the development of such a facility for our locals and tourists to enjoy. It is an addition to the 'Hip Strip' that will definitely enhance the aesthetics and appeal of the 'strip'," she reportedly said.
She also rejected the idea of developing the Dump Up Beach, suggesting instead that the property be reserved for the establishment of a signature attraction.
But Minister of Water and Housing, Dr Horace Chang who has portfolio responsibility for the UDC, believes that the old hospital site should form part of the proposed waterfront development, which includes the 25-acre dump up beach.
Chang, who is also member of parliament for the area believes that the old hospital site is too small to facilitate a first class park.
He argues that instead of spending $27 million to develop the old hospital site, the grass there should be properly maintained and be kept "green and fresh."
He also believes that the dump up beach area should be developed into a first class park:"one that Montegonians can be proud of."
To this Minister Chang has mandated the UDC to formulate a land use plan for the section of the waterfront that stretches from in front of the KFC Restaurant on Howard Cooke Boulevard to the old hospital site.
The plan Chang says, should be completed within the next three months, after which time it will be presented to the various stakeholders in the city for possible adoption.
I believe that Chang's proposal is worth considering.
Why not include the old hospital site in the general development of the waterfront?
And why not let us have a first class park that can rival the Emancipation Park in Kingston?
Clearly, the old hospital site cannot accommodate a park of that magnitude.
Mark Cummings
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Montegonians have long called for a public park where residents, as well as visitors to the resort city of Montego Bay can relax, exercise or be entertained.
Little wonder then that when former junior tourism minister, Wykeham McNeil, announced nearly two years ago that his government would be spending $27 million to develop a park at the 'old hospital site' in Montego Bay, the idea received much support.
McNeil said that the facility, which would be ready in time for the opening of Cricket World Cup 2007, would include a children's corner, three kiosks, an information booth, bathrooms, a police post and two confectionery stands to provide snack items.
He said the project had the support of that city's stakeholders.
He added that the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry had given its commitment to have the facility maintained.
But to date, work to transform the three-acre property is yet to begin.
With the change of government last September and the supposedly 'new thinking' by the new administration, it now appears that the planned development will not become a reality- at least not in the fashion it was proposed by the former People's National Party (PNP's) administration.
Earlier this month, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) chairman and past president of the Chamber, Godfrey Dyer, announced that he had been advised by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC)- which owns the property- that they were no longer going ahead with the project. He said they had suggested instead, that the money-which was being provided by the TEF- be used to develop the Dump Up Beach property, located near downtown Montego Bay.
The announcement apparently infuriated chamber president Pauline Reid who had consistently called for work to commence to develop the park at the old hospital site.
"This is the only green space along Gloucester Avenue with the capacity for the development of such a facility for our locals and tourists to enjoy. It is an addition to the 'Hip Strip' that will definitely enhance the aesthetics and appeal of the 'strip'," she reportedly said.
She also rejected the idea of developing the Dump Up Beach, suggesting instead that the property be reserved for the establishment of a signature attraction.
But Minister of Water and Housing, Dr Horace Chang who has portfolio responsibility for the UDC, believes that the old hospital site should form part of the proposed waterfront development, which includes the 25-acre dump up beach.
Chang, who is also member of parliament for the area believes that the old hospital site is too small to facilitate a first class park.
He argues that instead of spending $27 million to develop the old hospital site, the grass there should be properly maintained and be kept "green and fresh."
He also believes that the dump up beach area should be developed into a first class park:"one that Montegonians can be proud of."
To this Minister Chang has mandated the UDC to formulate a land use plan for the section of the waterfront that stretches from in front of the KFC Restaurant on Howard Cooke Boulevard to the old hospital site.
The plan Chang says, should be completed within the next three months, after which time it will be presented to the various stakeholders in the city for possible adoption.
I believe that Chang's proposal is worth considering.
Why not include the old hospital site in the general development of the waterfront?
And why not let us have a first class park that can rival the Emancipation Park in Kingston?
Clearly, the old hospital site cannot accommodate a park of that magnitude.
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