UDC to Spend $2.2 Billion on Investment Projects

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is positioned to spend $2.2 billion on capital development and investment projects in the 2015/16 financial year.

“These projects will create real economic activity and contribute to growth,” Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller said, while making her contribution to the 2015/16 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 24.

Some of the major projects planned for the 2015/2016 financial year are: Caymanas Estate Sewage Conveyance System ($463 million); Primary Infrastructure for Caymanas ($131 million); and Caymanas Estate Water Supply, Phase 3 ($20 million).

“This expenditure will result in a total investment of $614 million in the Caymanas Estate to make the lots ready for investment to support the Special Economic Zone,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

In addition, the Hellshire Development Area will also benefit from further investments in sewerage infrastructure totalling some $364 million.

The Prime Minister said this will benefit persons in Seafort, St. George’s, St. George’s Cliff, Sandhills and Sandhills Bay, Fort Clarence, and new National Housing Trust (NHT) residential developments.

Meanwhile, the UDC will also be working on several projects in Downtown Kingston that are estimated to cost $504 million.

These projects include: the refurbishing and repair of the Office Centre Building ($106 million); Tiling and Refurbishing of the Tax Office on King Street ($23 million);

Facelift of East Street, an important gateway to Downtown Kingston ( $18 million); Phase 4 Renovation of Jubilee Market ( $82 million); and Phase one of the re-development of the Old Naval Hospital – Port Royal Museums and Historic Walkway ($160 million).

A further $293 million will be invested in upgrading works at the Dunn’s River Attraction to include: beach replenishment, development of the central gardens, expansion and upgrading of public restrooms and other infrastructure. Also, some $220 million will be spent on the Ocho Rios Fisherman’s beach.

“The UDC has had a rebirth and is revitalized, stronger, and more relevant.

I wish to congratulate the Chairman of the UDC Board, the Honourable K.D. Knight and his team,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

The Prime Minister’s presentation was made under the theme – ‘Moving Forward: Jobs, Growth and Development’.