Town Hall Meeting at Heroes Circle Oct. 25

The Government is to host a town hall meeting at Heroes Circle on October 25, where all members of the community and stakeholders will be invited to participate in discussions on the proposed development of National Heroes Park.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (October 2).

He was responding to questions posed by Central Manchester Member of Parliament, Peter Bunting.

“We will answer their questions and address their concerns. In keeping with this commitment, a contract has been prepared for the retention of the Social Development Commission – the agency mandated to lead interventions and sensitisation of communities regarding government programmes – to lead this aspect of the project going forward,” Mr Holness explained.

He said the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has also initiated consultations with the Member of Parliament and Councillors of the Central Kingston constituency, and stakeholders such as the Wolmer’s Trust, technical and professional persons, and members of the construction industry, to seek their input on the way forward.

The Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China Construction America (CCA) for the crafting of technical plans for the development of a ‘Centre of Government’ at National Heroes Park.

The MOU will see the establishment of a model for a purpose-built space to house the Jamaican Parliament, ministries, departments and agencies, possibly a Jamaican museum, and other commercial and residential buildings.

Prime Minister Holness also informed that the Government is engaged in a project feasibility study, which will consider viable options and modalities for financing and implementation of the Government Oval Project.

“Depending on the outcome of that study, financing and/or implementation of the Government Oval Project, in whole or in part, may be finalised by way of an open and competitive process where local and foreign entities are able to compete for participation,” he informed.

The Prime Minister also reiterated that the Master Plan for the development does not propose the demolition of virtually all buildings around the National Heroes Park, including the existing Ministries of Finance, Education, and Labour and most of Allman Town.

“It proposes redevelopment of the area around the park. The development proposal has considered the accommodation of government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to the east, west and south of the National Heroes Park as well as the further upgrade of the adjoining residential neighbourhoods, which include Allman Town,” Mr. Holness noted.