Kingston & Ocho Rios Boardwalks Underway. Private Investors Wanted!

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is relying on the private sector to give life to the planned makeover of the Kingston waterfront as commercial and recreational space.

However, it is moving ahead with similar plans for a boardwalk in Ocho Rios with funding from two state agencies, the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ).

In Kingston, the UDC is planning development of 8.9 acres of property on the waterfront dubbed the Festival Market Place and Food Bazaar which the agency indicates is ideal for restaurants and bars, in-bond and local shopping, loft apartments and multi-use commercial and recreational space.

Lorna Clarke, director of corporate communication at the UDC, said execution of the boardwalk in the capital city is entirely reliant on private initiative.

“It is envisioned that the Festival Marketplace offer will be taken up by private-sector interests in line with the Government of Jamaica’s divestment policy regarding real estate,” said Clarke. She did not relate any indicative costs for the project.

[Source: Gleaner]