A wide cross section of Jamaicans turned out to support a Community Expo which was held by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) in collaboration with the Trelawny Parish Council and other partner agencies at Water Square in Falmouth on Saturday, July 24.
The objective of the Expo was to inform the various interest groups inclusive of residents of Falmouth and surrounding towns, business, civic and religious groups of plans for the upgrading of the town. Persons were able to access information regarding training, financial, employment and training opportunities. Participating agencies in the Expo included Heart Trust NTA, Social Development Commission, Tourism Product Development Company, Port Authority of Jamaica and Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited.
The upgrading of the town is being carried out ahead of the arrival of the world’s largest cruise ship, the Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas scheduled for early 2011. This is intended to complement the port development being undertaken by the Port Authority of Jamaica and Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited.
Speaking at the event, General Manager of the UDC, Joy Douglas indicated that by November of this year the town can expect to start welcoming the first arrivals. She further added “The potential of this development is almost boundless. However, as important as the cruise development is, it is equally important that the rest of the town be placed in a state of readiness to complement the new development and to receive the visitors.”
In order to prepare the town for the arrival of the visitors, the Historic Falmouth Town Centre Upgrading Programme will be implemented. This programme will result in limited landscaping and beautification projects which will be undertaken by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) primarily in and around Water Square and improved traffic management.
Plans are also underway for the declaration of Falmouth as a UDC designated area. Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding, who is also portfolio Minister for the UDC, has also entrusted the Corporation with the responsibility of co-ordinating, developing and implementing an Integrated Master Plan for the Greater Falmouth area.
The UDC in fulfilling this mandate is utilizing a multi-agency collaborative approach and several key stakeholders have united to draft the Greater Falmouth Redevelopment Plan 2010-2030, which will guide the town’s redevelopment.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email:
cr@udcja.com
July 2010
For 21 year old Shelly- Ann Mills, 30 years is a long time, but she can certainly identify with having fun and that is what she associates with the Hellshire Summer Fun event.
The event is a project spearheaded by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and involves a treat for approximately 1000 children, each year, from age 6 months to early adulthood. The children are taken from protective and childcare institutions from across the Corporate Area.
On Shelly-Ann’s first taste of Hellshire Summer Fun, she found it to be “full of entertainment, especially the singing and dancing”, or ‘concert time’ when the youngsters display their talents. Young Miss Mills is just one of many wards of My Father’s House, who is avidly looking forward to the 30th staging of the Hellshire Summer Fun.
This year’s staging will be from July 21-22, 2010 at the Fort Clarence Beach, which has served as its home since the inception of the programme. The event is set to treat children from fifteen (15) institutions, including Walker’s Place of Safety, The Nest, Jamaica Christian Boys Home and Mary’s Child.
The Early Years
In reflecting on the colorful history of the event, Miss Lorna Clarke, Corporate Relations Manager of the UDC noted that the Hellshire Summer Fun (HSF) was born out of an idea to provide organized activities for the many boys who played in the harbour along the waterfront in downtown Kingston. In subsequent years, the programme was organized and extended to include several child care and protective institutions across the Corporate Area- and thus commenced a long tradition of fun activities, gleeful children sharing long lasting memories.
Shericka Hines of Walker’s Place of Safety said that the event was the high point of her summer and she looked forward to it even during school. The fourteen year old said that she “found it exciting and very good”. “I was especially impressed by the talent pieces from the very small children” she related. Both young ladies expressed the hope that the UDC would continue to host the event for many years to come.
The Partnership
The programme’s survival over the many years can be attributed to the support that it has received from its partners. Continuing the tradition of public/private sector partnership are this year’s sponsors, GraceKennedy Limited, Nestle’ Jamaica Limited, National Continental Corporation, Coldfield Manufacturing Limited and Mega Mart. The Jamaica Urban Transit Company too, has been involved over the years, facilitating the movement of the children from the homes to Fort Clarence Beach at affordable rates.
Other partners critical to the staging of the event are the House mothers and fathers from the various child care and protective institutions, who have ensured the full turn out and disciplined participation of their charges. Numbered among these are, Maxfield Park Children’s Home, Walker ’s Place of Safety, The Jamaica Christian Boys Home and Best Care Lodge who have been present year after year.
The UDC staff members as well as summer workers have also played an integral role in ensuring that the youngsters have an enjoyable experience. They too usually walk away with memorable experiences.
The UDC acknowledges the support of all its sponsors over the years, without whom it would have been impossible to stage the programme and look forward to their continued collaboration in bringing a day of fun to many more children.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email:
cr@udcja.com
July 2010
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) hosted a Man and the Biosphere Workshop from July 5-7 at the Jamaica Conference Centre (JCC). The aim of the workshop was to sensitize the public on the importance of Biosphere Reserves and the management mechanisms to be employed in their functionality.
Speaking at the event Joy Douglas, General Manager of the UDC explained why the UDC would be involved in a workshop on the Biosphere. The simple answer, she said is contained in one of the key objectives of the biosphere network, which is to achieve a sustainable balance between conserving biological diversity, promoting economic development and maintaining associated cultural values. “Consequently, given our responsibility for national development and more so the design and planning of our urban centres, the UDC sees the embrace of the biosphere concept as a necessary and integral plank of our national development.”said Ms. Douglas.
Guest Speaker at the event, Sydney Bartley, Principal Director of Culture and Entertainment, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture said “The call is upon us to create operational strategies that are going to be converted into lifestyle arrangements that allow us in everything we do to protect and nurture the environment which is part of our being. We are here at this workshop, to create operational strategies that will influence lifestyle arrangements that affect the way in which we live or do things. Whenever someone is putting up a house or building, whenever somebody is going to create a community they should be well aware that our relationship with the environment is an important part of that development.”
Also speaking at the Event, Facilitator and Biosphere Reserve Consultant, June Marie Mow Robinson indicated that there is a clear distinction between a Biosphere Reserve and a Protected Area. “If you do not have people living in a Biosphere Reserve, it is not a biosphere reserve. People have to be there; otherwise we could not show that it is possible to have the balance between people and nature. It is an obligation to have people living in such a Reserve.”
The concept of biosphere reserves was initiated through a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Task Force in 1974. Today, there are over 564 reserves in 109 countries. UNESCO was represented at the workshop by Dr. Maria Smith, Programme Manager, Jamaica National’s Commission for UNESCO.
Several organizations including the Office of the Prime Minister, Island Special Constabulary Force, Forestry Department, The National Environment and Planning Agency, the National Housing Trust, National Land Agency, Ministry of Energy and Mining, Tourism Product Development Company and several teachers from and high and primary schools participated in the Conference.
The Corporation has been mandated by the Government of Jamaica to provide the leadership in the creation of biosphere reserves in the island. The priority areas for the UDC currently are Portland Bight, Caymanas Estates and Ocho Rios.
The UDC in recognition of the importance of protecting and conserving the environment, as part of its mandate adheres to high environmental standards in the implementation of its projects and programmes and plays a key role in the preservation of the Jamaican environment. As a result, the Corporation has a Natural Resource Management and Environmental Planning Department (NRMEP) dedicated to affairs of the environment. This Department implements programmes such as Environmental Monitoring, Ecological Assessments, Environmental Audits, Protected Area Management and Public Education Programmes in UDC project areas.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email:
cr@udcja.com
July 2010
Significant work has been completed on the Reach Falls Attractions in Portland ahead of the summer tourist season through a J$25 million upgrading contract by Portland General Contractors. Painting work as well as the installation of cabinets and fixtures are currently being done in the administrative offices, sanitary facilities, food and beverage hut and nurse’s station.
Reach Falls is operated by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), and is open to visitors Wednesdays to Sundays and public holidays from 8:30 to 4:30 pm at the affordable cost of J$300 and J$150 for Jamaican residents; adults and children respectively. For non-resident visitors, the cost is US$10 for visitors over 12 years and US$5 for those aged 4-12 years.
Nature lovers can expect a 30 - minute tour of the Driver’s River which feeds the falls, and exposure to rare plants and popular fruit trees. Reach, like other falls, is fed from a watershed area and is distinctive, not just for its cascading and pristine water, but also for the guided tour up the river. In its flowing path, the river has created some of the most breathtaking and dramatic rock pools. These famous features are said to relieve the most troubled minds and provide the ultimate relaxation and renewal of body, mind and spirit.
The UDC reopened Reach Falls to the public in February 2007 after completing interim works on the facility inclusive of improved sanitary amenities, electricity supply and the funding of a pipeline to the attraction. The road leading to the falls was also repaired.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email:
cr@udcja.com
June 2010
Trelawny Jamaica, renowned for its rich historical legacy and as the birthplace of the fastest man in the world, “Usain Bolt” is poised for yet another record making feat. This time, the redevelopment of Falmouth, chief town and capital of the parish. Situated on Jamaica's north coast, just east of Montego Bay, Falmouth is reputed for being one of the Caribbean’s best preserved Georgian towns.
Plans to facilitate the development of the historic town are moving apace as the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has been mandated by Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Hon. Orette Bruce Golding to declare the town a UDC designated area and to adopt a multi-agency collaborative approach to its redevelopment.
The Corporation has already started this process, with several key stakeholders coming together to draft the Greater Falmouth Redevelopment Plan 2010-2030, which will guide the town’s redevelopment. This plan will facilitate the orderly development of the area focusing on the management of land use, allocation for residential, commercial, industrial, resort, institutional, recreational, agricultural and conservation purposes.
One component of the plan currently being co-ordinated by the Corporation is the Historic Falmouth Town Centre Upgrading Programme. This includes beautification of the town and improved traffic management. This will result in the immediate improvement of the town in preparation for the world’s largest cruise ship, the Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas which will arrive in the island on January 5, 2011.
Upwards of 6000 visitors are expected to our shores on that maiden as well as subsequent voyages.
On completion of this project, Falmouth will become the country’s first ever thematic port destination, incorporating the charm of Georgian architecture which characterizes the streetscapes of old Falmouth. A new beginning, one of exciting possibilities.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email:
cr@udcja.com
May 2010
The Port Maria Civic Centre, St Mary is returning to its full glory as the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) continues its work to restore and refurbish that historic facility. Significant work has been completed on the main building while work is currently in progress on the amphitheatre, sanitary facilities and seating area.
At completion, the project will see new and restored facilities for a mayor’s office, council chambers, retail shops, restaurants, craft museum and commercial shops. The project is being carried out with financing from the Bank of Economic and Social Development (BANDES) of Venezuela in partnership with the Government of Jamaica under the San Jose Accord. The contractors are Racar Ingeniros C. A from Venezuela. The contract to facilitate the upgrading and bring the centre into full operation was signed in 2008 for approximately US$2.5M.
Phase 1 of the Port Maria Civic Centre restoration project started in 1998 when the old burnt out shell was replaced by a town hall, an interpretive museum and auxiliary office at a cost of J51M. The facility is managed by the Manning Trust.
The UDC has also completed work on similar facilities through the San Jose Accord which is an agreement signed originally in the Costa Rican capital city of San Jose on August 3, 1980 between the oil producing countries of Venezuela and Mexico and several non-oil producing countries in the region.
Under the Accord, Venezuela and Mexico sell oil to these countries in the region, including Jamaica and provide a portion of the proceeds of sales to them as a loan for development projects. Jamaica has utilized these funds to finance a Sports and Cultural Programme, which includes the civic centres at Montego Bay and Port Maria, multi-media centre at Edna Manley College, Independence Park/National Stadium Complex, and Montego Bay Sports Complex.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email:
cr@udcja.com
June 2010
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) will be hosting the 4th Annual Hellshire Enviro Fair at Two Sisters Caves in Hellshire on May 26, from 9:00 a.m - 3:00p.m. The Enviro Fair is a community outreach activity aimed at encouraging environmentally friendly practices.
The Fair is held in celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity, which is celebrated on May 22nd annually. The theme for this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity is “Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation.”
Several organizations including the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Institute of Jamaica, Natural History Division and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will provide displays highlighting environmental practices. The day’s activities will also include prizes and surprises.
Students from primary, secondary and tertiary schools from Kingston and St. Catherine will be in attendance and awards will be presented to the winning schools who participated in the “2010 Hellshire Schools Enviro Competition”. This competition was held from October 2009 to May 2010. In order to participate in the competition students were required to implement environmental projects within their schools. The projects this year included activities such as vegetable planting, green house gardening, recycling, protected species education and dust reduction.
The UDC hosted its first Enviro Fair at Green Grotto Caves in St. Ann on October 11, 2006 and hosted the inaugural Hellshire Enviro Fair during May 2007.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email:
cr@udcja.com
May 2010
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is advising of new parking arrangements for downtown Kingston, which have become necessary as they continue to coordinate redevelopment of the area.
The public parking areas are located at Seabed Upper Floors on Church Street, Seabed Ground Floor on King Street, Pirate’s Cove on Ocean Boulevard, the Northern Car Park at Orange Street, the car parks at West Street and Temple Lane, the Fisheries Complex on Port Royal Street and the Orange Street Multi Storey Car Park. Parking areas have also been marked out on the left side of Port Royal Street between Orange and Princess Streets and between Princess and West Streets. Parking will be accommodated on Orange Street between the multi storey car park and Ocean Boulevard until June 27. Additional parking has been made available on both sides of Princess Street, but will however be discontinued on the left side of the street, come June 27.
Among the developments which have led to the change in the parking arrangements is the purchasing of the Western Car Park by Digicel. The telecom giant will be utilizing the location for the construction of its Head Office. Digicel’s decision to purchase property downtown, is in keeping with the UDC’s mandate to redevelop downtown Kingston, and to encourage private sector participation in the process.
The proposal for the redevelopment of downtown Kingston envisages the works being implemented on a phased basis in keeping with the National Development Plan -Vision 2030, which seeks to position Jamaica as a place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email:
cr@udcja.com
March 2010
TYPES OF INCENTIVES OFFERED UNDER THE TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAMME
Urban Renewal Bond: a loan instrument which may be issued or
underwritten by approved private or public sector organizations to
assemble funds for specific projects in the SDA.
Investment Tax Credit: offered on capital investment for either the construction of new buildings or improvement to existing ones or development of property. This tax credit of 25% on capital sums invested is available to approved developers.
Tax Free Rental Income: This offers full relief to
the approved developers, from income tax on rental income from the new
or refurbished building during the incentive period.
A brand new façade, spruced up office space and more user-friendly access and parking facilities are part of the transformation underway at the landmark building housing the NEM Insurance Company on King Street in downtown Kingston.
The company, through the Tax Incentive Programme for Urban Renewal, managed by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), has undertaken extensive refurbishing of its downtown headquarters which it has occupied for 70 years.
This signals the possibilities for such renewal projects available through the TIP to property owners in the city.
According to Chris Hind, general manager of NEM, “the Tax Incentive Programme is a very good one, as it offers significant tax breaks”.
“When undertaking major upgrading projects, this translates into considerable cost saving benefits”, he adds.
So excited is Mr. Hind about the programme, that he unhesitatingly recommends that other businesses take advantage of the benefits.
“ NEM stands out from the other buildings and that is great, but what would be even better is to have all the buildings looking like NEM”, he said in encouragement.
Mr. Hind is, however, not just interested in recommending and encouraging support for the TIP, but is also suggesting that other incentives, with greater appeal to a wider cross section of persons could also be offered .
Lenworth Tracey, UDC’s deputy general manager with responsibility for economic development and corporate relations agrees.
According to Tracey, the UDC is currently exploring the establishment of both fiscal and social incentives as part of its strategic initiative to boost its economic development programme.
NEM, first accessed the Tax Incentive Programme as an Approved Developer in 2003, when they applied for and received tax breaks on improvement works carried out to the canteen and car park at its King Street offices. Since then, the company has renovated the ground and third floors and is completing extensive refurbishing of the exterior. NEM, is not yet finished, as the company is finalizing plans for the renovation of the rest of the five storey building, which it has occupied since 1940.
The Tax Incentive Programme was launched in downtown Kingston in 1995, with a view to revitalizing urban centres defined as blighted, or Special Development Areas (SDA). The programme was later extended to Port Royal and Montego Bay in 1996 and 2000 respectively. In 2009, Spanish Town became the latest designated area, eligible for benefits under the programme.
Under the incentive programme, tax relief is offered to companies or individuals undertaking capital investments in either land or buildings. These can be residential or commercial holdings. Three types of incentives – an Urban Renewal Bond, an Investment Tax Credit and Tax Free Rental Income - are offered through the TIP.
The scope of NEM’s investment is a demonstration of
its commitment to downtown Kingston and is positively aligned to the
goals and objectives of the UDC for the revitalization of the capital
city. NEM joins the list of beneficiaries of TIP which includes
GraceKennedy Limited, Courts Jamaica Limited, Konvertra and Guardsman.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email:
cr@udcja.com
March 2010
Kingston, and more specifically downtown Kingston, can be described as the cradle of Jamaica’s cultural development. In fact, Kingston has given rise to many of our cultural icons and has been home to such internationally acclaimed artistes as Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Shaggy and 2002 Gold Musgrave Awardee, painter David Pottinger to name a few.
Many have had an ongoing love affair with Kingston. The city was both their inspiration as well as the subject of many of their works.
It is not surprising therefore, that when Venezuelan liberator and National Hero, Simon Jose Antonio de la Santisma - Simon Bolivar - resided in Jamaica in 1815, he lived at 33 Princess Street in downtown Kingston. It was from here that he wrote what is reputed to be his greatest written work, the “Jamaica Letter”.
The Letter, it is believed, was Bolivar’s views on the independence movement in Venezuela and the form of government, which was right for that country and, was in part his response to an invitation by the then English Governor of Jamaica to expound on the matter.
Bolivar, a liberal and proponent of the free market, used the letter to urge his countrymen to work towards freedom from Spain. He became one of South America’s greatest generals who fought and secured independence from Spain for Bolivia, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, earning for himself, the title of El Libertador (The Liberator).
Today, as the Urban Development Corporation UDC) moves towards the redevelopment of downtown Kingston, the repositioning of the city as a cultural hub is one of the guiding forces. To this end, a cultural centre in honour of Simon Bolivar is being constructed at North Parade and Church Street in historic Parade, not far from Bolivar’s Princess Street address.
The centre which is being constructed through the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) will on completion house an interpretive museum, library, administrative block and the Simon Bolivar Exhibit Hall. A 350 seater multi-cultural centre will also be provided. The centre is expected to build on the Bolivarian concept of cultural enlightenment offering opportunities for young children to be exposed to the cultural and performing arts. It addition, it is expected to contribute to the economic development of the city, by providing jobs for teachers and students of the arts.
The project is being constructed at an estimated cost of US$3.2M., for which a grant of US$2M in the first instance, has been committed by the Venezuelan Government. The Jamaican government is to provide US$766,000.
With its close proximity to the Ward Theatre, Liberty Hall and the historic churches, market and parks in Parade, it is expected that the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre will help to burnish Kingston’s cultural image.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email:
cr@udcja.com
February 2010
Thanks to the support of several corporate sponsors, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) will again this year be staging Fireworks on the Waterfront, heralding the arrival of the New Year 2010.
The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited, National Commercial Bank, Grace Kennedy Limited, Supreme Ventures, Ammar’s Limited, Allied Insurance Brokers, Maritime Towing Company Ltd., Jamaica Freight and Shipping Company Limited and the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) are among the stakeholders who have, to date, joined with the UDC to ensure that the event is staged in an effort not to disappoint the over 140,000 patrons who attend the popular New Year’s Eve event.
The organizers of the Fireworks have however revamped this year’s format as a cost containment strategy, resulting in a reduction of over 50 percent of the actual expenditure on last year’s programme.
Beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday December 31, the event will comprise a Grand Street Party reminiscent of Jamaica of former years, with music by ProSound Disco and DJ Squeeze. It will also feature a Kiddies Area for the young and young at heart with simulators, trampoleaper, trampoline and merry-go-round and vending booths and stalls along Ocean Boulevard on the Kingston waterfront. Highlight of the event will be the fireworks display at midnight.
For those persons wishing to see the Fireworks from an elevated level, then the VIP Front Row Party will offer that vantage point from the Poolside of the former Oceana Hotel on King Street.
While it is physically located in downtown Kingston, the Fireworks on the Waterfront event has a much wider reach with patrons travelling from other parishes to be a part of the action.
It was first staged by the UDC in 1999 to usher in the new millennium and was intended to be a one-off event. However its absence the following year, resulted in such a public outcry that the UDC has sought in subsequent years to stage the event.
The successful staging of Fireworks on the Waterfront each year, underscores UDC’s positioning of downtown Kingston as the place for business or pleasure. This fits squarely within the redevelopment plans for downtown Kingston being pursued by the UDC. Fireworks on the Waterfront also offers for the residents of the city, opportunities through the sale of craft and a variety of items, thus facilitating the UDC’s commitment to provide economic development opportunities. Each year scores of vendors and artisans participate in the street event which has become the premier New Year’s Eve event on the national calendar.
For further information, please contactThe Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email: cr@udcja.com
December 2009
Forty three students from Portland were lauded by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) at the Corporation’s 5th Annual Students of Excellence Ceremony, which was held at the Happy Grove High School in Portland, on Thursday, November 26.
Students from eight primary and two high schools, who excelled academically and displayed exemplary conduct were recognized for their achievements in the Students of Excellence Competition. First place award for the Primary School Category of the Competition was presented to Danique Kelly of Reach Primary and Infant, who received a plaque from the UDC and a cash award of $4,000 while Tamar Witter of Fair Prospect, received first place in the Secondary School category. She received a cash award of $5,000 dollars, courtesy of the National Commercial Bank and a plaque from the UDC.
The students who received awards were required to perform at the top of their class for three consecutive years and maintain a position between first and third place, while displaying exemplary conduct through consistent punctuality and involvement in extra curricular activities.
The UDC’s Students of Excellence Competition is just one of the UDC’s community development activities in Portland. The Corporation also implements Remedial Reading Workshops, Values and Attitudes Programmes and Small Business Workshops.
For further information, please contactThe Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email cr@udcja.com
December 2009
As part of
its ongoing effort to promote downtown Kingston as an ideal location for
business and pleasure the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has
collaborated with Scotiabank Kingston and the Kingston and St. Andrew
Corporation to host several events
under the theme “Christmas in the City, Downtown Comes Alive.”
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email cr@udcja.com
December 2009
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) will be upgrading the Old Hospital Park in Montego Bay, St. James from December 8, 2009 until April, 2010 for use as a public recreational space.
The contract which is valued at $J29.6M will see at completion, the establishment of administrative and sanitary amenities, gazebo, viewing pavilion, open green space, perimeter fencing, walkways, seating and improved lighting.
The Old Hospital Park project is being financed by the Tourism Enhancement Fund with Lawson’s Construction Ltd. as the contractors. The National Solid Waste Management Authority will be responsible for the hard and soft landscaping portion of the works.
The upgrading of the Old Hospital Park was envisioned as part
of the Greater Montego Bay Redevelopment Plan (GMRP), through which the need was
identified to develop lands along the Montego Bay Waterfront in keeping with the
requirements for a green space, relevant to the needs of both residents and
visitors to one of our island’s most popular resort strips.
Montego Bay was des
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email
cr@udcja.com
December 2009
The world famous Dunn’s River Falls and Park in St. Ann, Jamaica has won the coveted title of leading Caribbean Tourist Excursion as part of the World Travel Awards ceremony presented on November 8 in London, England.
Laura Heron, general manager of the St. Ann Development Company, the subsidiary company which operates the facility on behalf of owners, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), is excited about the latest award which seals the reputation of the Falls on the international scene. ‘Dunn’s River has evolved over the years as a total family experience where you can come for fun, adventure, picnics and relaxation in a tropical setting, so it is most fitting that in a time of global recession in the travel market that our Jamaican product shines so brightly, she says.
The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. Now celebrating its 16th Anniversary, the awards are regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could ever hope to receive. Thousands of votes are cast by travel professionals from 183,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe.
Just a stone’s throw from the tourism Mecca of Ocho Rios, Dunn’s River Falls is believed to be the site of the battle of “Las Chorreras”, Spanish for Waterfalls, fought in 1657 between the British and the Spanish for possession of Jamaica.
Since 1998, the UDC has been engaged in major upgrading of the property valued in excess of $J300M with a view to ensuring parity with other world class attractions and enriching the Dunn’s River experience. Improvements have included the creation of a central garden and picnic areas, construction of ticket office and entry courtyard, bus and car park, administrative office, staff and nurse’s facilities. A jetty and ticketing office was also constructed to facilitate arrivals by boat. Infrastructure upgrades including water, electrical and telephone distribution systems have also been carried out.
Dunn’s River Falls and Park, Jamaica’s leading attraction has maintained its tradition of excellence and was voted by cruise officials as being the most popular and exciting in the Caribbean in 2004. The attraction saw in excess of 850, 000 visitors in the financial year 2007 to 2008. The current local rates for Dunn’s River are J$300 for visitors under 12 years old and J$600 for persons over 12 years, while the overseas rates are at US$12 and $15 respectively.
SADCO and the UDC remain committed to providing world class recreational facilities at rates affordable to all its visitors at Dunn’s River Falls, which will also be an integral part of the UDC’s major re-development plans for the greater Ocho Rios area..
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email
cr@udcja.com
November 2009
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has today effected the redundancy of 16 positions, affecting 16 persons in its Project Management Department.
This comes as a result of the on-going restructuring of the corporation to return to its core function of preparing and implementing development plans and recommendations emanating from the Management Audit being conducted by Price Waterhouse Coopers.
It has been identified that the department will need to be re-engineered to meet the new demands and, as was discussed with the project management staff on September 9, the opportunity exits for them to apply for the new positions. A decision had also been taken at that time to effect separation in November. However, in the current global recessionary climate, the situation has become urgent and the Corporation has brought forward the separation date to coincide with the end of this month and so facilitate a smoother transition.
The UDC has complied with all the requirements of the Employment, Termination and Redundancy Act of 1974 and all employee benefits and entitlements will be paid.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email
cr@udcja.com
November 2009
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is working towards enriching the town of Port Maria, St Mary through a phase 2 restoration programme at the Port Maria Civic Centre.
The contract to facilitate this upgrading and bring the centre into full operation was signed in 2008 for approximately US$2.5M under the San Jose Accord. Significant progress has already been made with the construction of new and restored facilities for a mayor’s office, council chambers, retail shops, restaurants, craft museum, commercial shops and amphitheatre, in a perfect blend of modern offices and quaint Georgian architecture. The project is being carried out with financing from the Bank of Economic and Social Development (BANDES) of Venezuela in partnership with the Government of Jamaica under the San Jose Accord with contractors being Racar Ingeniros C.A. from Venezuela.
According to Ethlyn Douglas, secretary general of the St Mary Parish Council, “the redevelopment of the Port Maria Civic Centre by the UDC will provide a catalyst for further development by providing a town hall meeting space for community focused activities”. The Centre will also feature modern office spaces which will facilitate emerging businesses in the town.
Phase 1 of the Port Maria Civic Centre restoration project started in 1998 when the old burnt out shell was replaced by a town hall, an interpretive museum and auxiliary office at a cost of J51M. The facility is managed by the Manning Trust.
Originally built in 1821, this fine example of Jamaican Georgian architecture housed the Port Maria courthouse and police station until it was destroyed by fire in 1988. This section of the building was reconstructed and completed by the Urban Development Corporation in the year 2000 under the San Jose Accord. It was officially reopened on February 8, 2002 by former Prime Minister The Most Hon P.J. Patterson
The Port Maria Civic Centre is surrounded by notable relics such as the Great War Monument, Tacky Memorial and St Mary Parish Church. It straddles the coastline of St. Mary's capital and is an outstanding landmark having housed in its original state in 1821, the Port Maria Court House, Collectorate, Police Station and Parish Council offices. National Hero the Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante was once tried in the Court House.
The Port Maria Civic Centre will form the centerpiece for the development of heritage and eco-tourism and for exposing creative talents that abound in the parish. The civic centre will also enrich the social and cultural life of St. Mary when the museum is established and the craft shops are open to the public.
For further information, please contact
The Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel :( 876) 922-8310-4
Email
cr@udcja.com
October 2009