Press Releases

Green Grotto Caves and Attractions, has retained EarthCheck Gold certification following the completion of an onsite certification audit conducted recently by the Green Globe Earthcheck Certification, a programme managed by EC3 Global.

Jamaica 50 Fireworks on the Kingston Waterfront is scheduled for New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31, 2011. The event takes on special significance this year, as it ushers in Jamaica’s 50th anniversary as an independent nation.

Telecommunications provider Digicel and Scotiabank have partnered with the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) to stage Fireworks on The Waterfront 2011. The event which aims to bring life into Downtown Kingston, will be held on the Kingston Waterfront on New Year’s Eve Saturday, December 31.

Montego Bay Convention Centre welcomes on board “Taste of the Caribbean” Gold Medalist, Chef Randie Anderson.

Having prepared extravagant meals for the last three Prime Ministers of Jamaica and many other leading foreign dignitaries and celebrities, Chef Randie Anderson comes to this market with distinct culinary mastery.

From Jamaica to the Caribbean and USA, the new Chef of the Montego Bay Convention Centre has made a name for himself as Executive Chef with stints at some of the country’s leading Hotels.

Since October 1, 2011, entry fees have been increased for non- resident adults, visiting the world famous Dunn’s River Falls and Park in St. Ann. The rate has been increased from US$15.00 per person to US$20.00. However, the rate for non-resident children remains at US$12.

The rates for Dunn’s River Falls and Park were last revised in 2009, when the local rates for both adults and children were increased. This resulted in visitors under 12 years old paying J$300 and persons over 12 years paying J$600. This brought the local rates more in line with the overseas rates, which remained at US$12 and US$15 respectively. Dunn’s River Falls and Park continues to be extremely competitive when the rates are compared to basic entry fees being charged by other attractions.

The Urban Development Corporation’s (UDC) was recently recognized for its engineering achievement in completing the Montego Bay Sports Complex, St James on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel by the Jamaica Institution of Engineers during its Annual Awards Banquet. The facility was among two other contenders including the Falmouth Cruise Ship Terminal built by the Port Authority of Jamaica and Wigton Windfarm, controlled by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica who were vying for the prestigious Project of the Year Award. As part of the proceedings, all nominees were presented with a plaque with Wigton Windfarm Farm emerging as the winner.

The Urban Development Corporation and the Development Bank of Jamaica wish to set the record straight with respect to the sale of the government’s majority share in the Pegasus Hotel of Jamaica Limited (PHJL). It is necessary to do this given certain statements made recently in the public media. In this regard, the institutions set out below the process that was followed for the divestment of the shares.

The Board of Directors of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has appointed Mr Desmond Young, Civil Engineer, M.Sc., MJIE, PE, as acting general manager of the Corporation. This follows on the recent suspension of general manager, Ms Joy Douglas, last Friday, October 21st, 2011 to facilitate an examination of the Corporation’s management practice and procedures.

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) views with concern the headline story in today's (October 13, 2011) edition of the Jamaica Gleaner 'Island Sold Cheap'.

The assertion was made that 'the UDC had undertaken the sale of a 23-acre island
known as Booby Cay in Negril for $351 million'.

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is pursuing diverse finance and business options of Initial Public Offerings (IPO), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) and Private/Public Partnerships (PPPs) to provide attractive investment opportunities for private individuals and institutions. These will form the main elements of a new strategy by the Corporation to see to the implementation of city development plans through the attraction of private capital.