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Portland in development mode
published: Sunday | November 4, 2007
Photo by Barbara Ellington
An aerial view of Trident Castle, one of Portland's most beautiful properties.
Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor
From the six-seater helicopter, the view of the mountains between St. Andrew and Portland is spectacular. Peering into the valleys between hills and mountains is like looking into someone's throat and seeing all the way to the stomach. Awesome!
"Jamaica is beautiful, isn't it?" asks our host, National Commercial Bank chairman, Michael Lee Chin, breaking the silence. "Now, do you understand why I love this place so much?" He continues, "It would be great to have helicopter tours round here for visitors to the island."
He is reminded by this reporter that these are offered from time to time upon request by tourists. But he is anxious that his guests on this trip, Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva, West Portland Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz and The Gleaner, see the parish of his birth from his perspective.
It is truly spectacular; there are hues of blue and green everywhere. You could almost touch the tops of trees below. For most of the 15-minute ride, Folly ruins, the Blue Lagoon, Trident Castle, Frenchman's Cove, Navy Island, Dragon Bay and, yes, the harbour and new underutilised marina in Port Antonio, take our breath away.
Lee Chin instructs his pilot to circle in for an aerial view of the new courthouse in Port Antonio, the parish capital. His face lights up like a child inspecting his Christmas-morning toys. The courthouse construction site is one of three scheduled stops on this trip. Not far from completion, it is taking the shape of something the parish will be proud of and the rest of the island will envy.
There are currently three active projects under the proud Portlander's belt, hiring a total of 350 persons. The significance is not lost on him as he states: "The parish has a population of approximately 11,000 and people need work. Can you imagine what would happen if we had 10 more projects spread over the parish?"
Marina
The first stop is the marina, where citizens of the Titchfield Redevelopment [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]Community[/COLOR][/COLOR] Project are meeting to make plans for the transformation of the Titchfield peninsula. The marina lies pregnant with as yet untapped possibilities, but during our visit, the annual Marlin Tournament gave Port Antonio some amount of buzz.
Inside the main building is an organised group. Every committee head has to report on his or her "homework" assignment for the previous 30 days. It is a system they have devised to get things moving speedily. The meeting is chaired by a young and energetic Harvard College/Law School graduate, Mark McIntosh, who is the director of strategic planning and development for Port Antonio on behalf of Lee Chin's Canadian-based financial conglomerate, AIC.
Titchfield Hill was chosen as the first of the parish's target areas for redevelopment. Sceptics might say Lee Chin is focusing on the community of his birth; others could argue, "parson christen his pickney first." But a drive up the hill reveals homes that still show vestiges of the [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]architecture[/COLOR][/COLOR] of many decades past. A view of the harbour that is almost second to none is irresistible, and the narrow streets, lined by once-magnificent homes, hold the promise of an area that could be transformed to rival sections of St. Maarten and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Several months ago, Lee Chin loaded his jet with movers and shakers from the parish for a day trip to St. Maarten to show them first hand what he visualises for Port Antonio. For now, the transformation is in its embryonic stages, but the citizens have seized the vision.
Correcting the neglect
Many of the people who remember Port Antonio in its heyday will admit that neglecting to capitalise on the promise for the future has prevented the town from being the Caribbean's Monte Carlo. The remnants of Georgian architecture tell a tale of glamour lost; but restoration is possible and those who have talked about bringing back Port Antonio's former glory are ready for action.
Portland's most famous citizen, Lee Chin, born on Titchfield Hill 56 years ago, points out his former home. When the development is complete, that home and all others will have fresh coats of paint; the streets will be pothole free, the community will be well lit and the entire peninsula will be the envy of all.
The entire cost is projected at over $50 million, but Lee Chin's AIC seeded it with $10 million; the Tourism Enhancement fund chipped in with $17 million; community pledges are well over $100,000 and the parish council through the former Ministry of Local Government gave $5.5 million. The first $32.5 million will complete road repairs, landscaping, sidewalks and street lights.
The planners would like to upgrade the infrastructure so that roads would only have to be dug up once.
The meeting
Committee members are vibrant and hard working. So far, they have held nine monthly meetings and studiously reported on the successes and failures of their homework. One by one, subcommittee heads took the microphone and gave a progress report.
Lydia Jones speaks on behalf of [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]home [COLOR=orange! important]owners[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] and reported that estimates to determine how much would be needed to repair homes are nearing completion. They are looking forward to getting the promised bank loans at nine per cent interest rate.
Mr. McIntosh gives an update of his efforts to have multiple signs bearing the same message removed and replaced in a more rational way. He also has completed the task of preparing a graphic representation of how funds are being raised.
The Portland Chamber of Commerce's Alec Deheny reports that monetary pledges from the town's business owners are coming along nicely.
Daryl Vaz congratulates the committee on its initiative and tells them that at the moment, Government has $5.5 million ready to be disbursed to the project. "The development of investment plans for Portland is high on my administration's agenda and I will fight for the entire parish, not just for my constituency in the west," he tells the meeting. "I have been described as a bulldozer and I will use that reputation to mow down any obstacle that gets in the way of Portland's progress," he adds. Vaz is Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for project monitoring.
The Tourism [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]Product [COLOR=orange! important]Development[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] Company's (TPDCo) reports that a massive six-week beautification and spruce-up campaign will start soon and end in time for the upcoming winter tourist season.
Case study
The meeting is also informed that the current dump will be relocated from the seaside to lands on the Craig Mill Road in Buff Bay, at the western end of the parish.
Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva, congratulates the committee on its work to date and says he would be speaking with the relevant interests in his country that could partner with the parish in areas such as restoration of landmarks. Already, the ambassador is assisting with the restoration of the murals at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, downtown Kingston, as well as the old Spanish Town capital. Popular Spanish hotel chains have put down roots in sections of the island, an Portland does not lend itself to such large properties, there are smaller luxury chains in Spain that could be enticed here in the future.
"This project is all about how you engage the residents, set high standards, do a good job and make it a case study for the rest of Jamaica," Lee Chin explains to The Sunday Gleaner. Having left Portland at age 15, he has first-hand knowledge of the beauty the team is trying to bring back.
Asked if he considered the swap of the old courthouse building in the centre of town for the spanking new edifice on the edge of town an uneven one, Lee Chin quips, "Portland is the winner."
A quick tour of the new building reveals three courtrooms, private judges' chambers, rest rooms, a library, state-of-the-art facilities that boast Jamaican hard wood doors and finishes, and exterior walls finished with cut-stone from Westmoreland. There will be adequate parking and no doubt, when the new Juci Patties franchise opens next door, the street will be busy.
The projected completion date for the courthouse is next January.
Trident Villas
Having acquired the luxury Trident Villas and Hotel property in Portland, Lee Chin has embarked on a US$15 million refurbishment. Except for some exterior walls and a dominant main entranceway, the old structure is almost totally gone. The new facility will have 13 villas, six suites, and a five-bedroom Imperial Suite. Construction workers are moving steadily towards a March 2008 deadline and each villa will command its own private ocean view.
Once inside the property, expect an infinity pool, a piano bar, library and pagodas and lush gardens - all in a setting of old Caribbean elegance and style. The finest materials will be used and already, project coordinator, Diana Oddi, is excited. Giving a [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]guided [COLOR=orange! important]tour[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], she points out the best views, including villas that boast their own outdoor garden and private outdoor showers, a gym and floating decks for massages, private swimming pools, hard wood floors, private beach and a to-die-for spa area. "The Imperial Suite will be fit for a king," she says. Along with a clothing boutique, which will carry the best in local and regional designs, there will be a five-star, dining restaurant that will be open to the public. Already, two executive chefs - one Australian and one Jamaican - are in advanced stages of menu and other planning. "There will be nothing else like this restaurant on the island," Lee Chin promises.
published: Sunday | November 4, 2007
Photo by Barbara Ellington
An aerial view of Trident Castle, one of Portland's most beautiful properties.
Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor
From the six-seater helicopter, the view of the mountains between St. Andrew and Portland is spectacular. Peering into the valleys between hills and mountains is like looking into someone's throat and seeing all the way to the stomach. Awesome!
"Jamaica is beautiful, isn't it?" asks our host, National Commercial Bank chairman, Michael Lee Chin, breaking the silence. "Now, do you understand why I love this place so much?" He continues, "It would be great to have helicopter tours round here for visitors to the island."
He is reminded by this reporter that these are offered from time to time upon request by tourists. But he is anxious that his guests on this trip, Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva, West Portland Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz and The Gleaner, see the parish of his birth from his perspective.
It is truly spectacular; there are hues of blue and green everywhere. You could almost touch the tops of trees below. For most of the 15-minute ride, Folly ruins, the Blue Lagoon, Trident Castle, Frenchman's Cove, Navy Island, Dragon Bay and, yes, the harbour and new underutilised marina in Port Antonio, take our breath away.
Lee Chin instructs his pilot to circle in for an aerial view of the new courthouse in Port Antonio, the parish capital. His face lights up like a child inspecting his Christmas-morning toys. The courthouse construction site is one of three scheduled stops on this trip. Not far from completion, it is taking the shape of something the parish will be proud of and the rest of the island will envy.
There are currently three active projects under the proud Portlander's belt, hiring a total of 350 persons. The significance is not lost on him as he states: "The parish has a population of approximately 11,000 and people need work. Can you imagine what would happen if we had 10 more projects spread over the parish?"
Marina
The first stop is the marina, where citizens of the Titchfield Redevelopment [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]Community[/COLOR][/COLOR] Project are meeting to make plans for the transformation of the Titchfield peninsula. The marina lies pregnant with as yet untapped possibilities, but during our visit, the annual Marlin Tournament gave Port Antonio some amount of buzz.
Inside the main building is an organised group. Every committee head has to report on his or her "homework" assignment for the previous 30 days. It is a system they have devised to get things moving speedily. The meeting is chaired by a young and energetic Harvard College/Law School graduate, Mark McIntosh, who is the director of strategic planning and development for Port Antonio on behalf of Lee Chin's Canadian-based financial conglomerate, AIC.
Titchfield Hill was chosen as the first of the parish's target areas for redevelopment. Sceptics might say Lee Chin is focusing on the community of his birth; others could argue, "parson christen his pickney first." But a drive up the hill reveals homes that still show vestiges of the [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]architecture[/COLOR][/COLOR] of many decades past. A view of the harbour that is almost second to none is irresistible, and the narrow streets, lined by once-magnificent homes, hold the promise of an area that could be transformed to rival sections of St. Maarten and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Several months ago, Lee Chin loaded his jet with movers and shakers from the parish for a day trip to St. Maarten to show them first hand what he visualises for Port Antonio. For now, the transformation is in its embryonic stages, but the citizens have seized the vision.
Correcting the neglect
Many of the people who remember Port Antonio in its heyday will admit that neglecting to capitalise on the promise for the future has prevented the town from being the Caribbean's Monte Carlo. The remnants of Georgian architecture tell a tale of glamour lost; but restoration is possible and those who have talked about bringing back Port Antonio's former glory are ready for action.
Portland's most famous citizen, Lee Chin, born on Titchfield Hill 56 years ago, points out his former home. When the development is complete, that home and all others will have fresh coats of paint; the streets will be pothole free, the community will be well lit and the entire peninsula will be the envy of all.
The entire cost is projected at over $50 million, but Lee Chin's AIC seeded it with $10 million; the Tourism Enhancement fund chipped in with $17 million; community pledges are well over $100,000 and the parish council through the former Ministry of Local Government gave $5.5 million. The first $32.5 million will complete road repairs, landscaping, sidewalks and street lights.
The planners would like to upgrade the infrastructure so that roads would only have to be dug up once.
The meeting
Committee members are vibrant and hard working. So far, they have held nine monthly meetings and studiously reported on the successes and failures of their homework. One by one, subcommittee heads took the microphone and gave a progress report.
Lydia Jones speaks on behalf of [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]home [COLOR=orange! important]owners[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] and reported that estimates to determine how much would be needed to repair homes are nearing completion. They are looking forward to getting the promised bank loans at nine per cent interest rate.
Mr. McIntosh gives an update of his efforts to have multiple signs bearing the same message removed and replaced in a more rational way. He also has completed the task of preparing a graphic representation of how funds are being raised.
The Portland Chamber of Commerce's Alec Deheny reports that monetary pledges from the town's business owners are coming along nicely.
Daryl Vaz congratulates the committee on its initiative and tells them that at the moment, Government has $5.5 million ready to be disbursed to the project. "The development of investment plans for Portland is high on my administration's agenda and I will fight for the entire parish, not just for my constituency in the west," he tells the meeting. "I have been described as a bulldozer and I will use that reputation to mow down any obstacle that gets in the way of Portland's progress," he adds. Vaz is Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for project monitoring.
The Tourism [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]Product [COLOR=orange! important]Development[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] Company's (TPDCo) reports that a massive six-week beautification and spruce-up campaign will start soon and end in time for the upcoming winter tourist season.
Case study
The meeting is also informed that the current dump will be relocated from the seaside to lands on the Craig Mill Road in Buff Bay, at the western end of the parish.
Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva, congratulates the committee on its work to date and says he would be speaking with the relevant interests in his country that could partner with the parish in areas such as restoration of landmarks. Already, the ambassador is assisting with the restoration of the murals at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, downtown Kingston, as well as the old Spanish Town capital. Popular Spanish hotel chains have put down roots in sections of the island, an Portland does not lend itself to such large properties, there are smaller luxury chains in Spain that could be enticed here in the future.
"This project is all about how you engage the residents, set high standards, do a good job and make it a case study for the rest of Jamaica," Lee Chin explains to The Sunday Gleaner. Having left Portland at age 15, he has first-hand knowledge of the beauty the team is trying to bring back.
Asked if he considered the swap of the old courthouse building in the centre of town for the spanking new edifice on the edge of town an uneven one, Lee Chin quips, "Portland is the winner."
A quick tour of the new building reveals three courtrooms, private judges' chambers, rest rooms, a library, state-of-the-art facilities that boast Jamaican hard wood doors and finishes, and exterior walls finished with cut-stone from Westmoreland. There will be adequate parking and no doubt, when the new Juci Patties franchise opens next door, the street will be busy.
The projected completion date for the courthouse is next January.
Trident Villas
Having acquired the luxury Trident Villas and Hotel property in Portland, Lee Chin has embarked on a US$15 million refurbishment. Except for some exterior walls and a dominant main entranceway, the old structure is almost totally gone. The new facility will have 13 villas, six suites, and a five-bedroom Imperial Suite. Construction workers are moving steadily towards a March 2008 deadline and each villa will command its own private ocean view.
Once inside the property, expect an infinity pool, a piano bar, library and pagodas and lush gardens - all in a setting of old Caribbean elegance and style. The finest materials will be used and already, project coordinator, Diana Oddi, is excited. Giving a [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]guided [COLOR=orange! important]tour[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], she points out the best views, including villas that boast their own outdoor garden and private outdoor showers, a gym and floating decks for massages, private swimming pools, hard wood floors, private beach and a to-die-for spa area. "The Imperial Suite will be fit for a king," she says. Along with a clothing boutique, which will carry the best in local and regional designs, there will be a five-star, dining restaurant that will be open to the public. Already, two executive chefs - one Australian and one Jamaican - are in advanced stages of menu and other planning. "There will be nothing else like this restaurant on the island," Lee Chin promises.
It was you who was showing off about his involvement in the entire parish. 
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