UDC Accepting Bids for Third City Consultants

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is still accepting bids from qualified entities to provide consulting services under phase one of its Third City project.

Deputy General Manager, Heather Pinnock, says the phase entails the development of a multi-criteria suitability model to determine the best location for establishing Jamaica’s Third City, in keeping with a mandate from Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in 2016.

She was speaking at the Kiwanis Club of North St. Andrew’s weekly meeting at the Police Officers’ Club in Kingston on January 18, where she represented General Manager, Dr. Damion Graham.

Ms. Pinnock advised that phase one also includes a pre-horizon scanning and fore-sighting study, which will also determine the location and criteria for site selection, noting that there are “a number of criteria” that will be used to come up with a list of possible options.

She pointed out that work under phase one will assist in determining whether the new city will be developed on unused lands (referred to as a Greenfield) and if there is adequate acreage to accommodate it; whether the development will be on land around an existing town, or if that locale will be upgraded to a city.

“We know that a lot of people think that there is a location (that has been identified)… but that has not yet been decided. We are using a formal process to determine the best possible location,” the Deputy General Manager said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Pinnock said the UDC, recognising that the new city will require “something to be happening there” that serves as the “pull” that attracts investments and other benefits, has been consulting with several key stakeholders.

These include the Special Economic Zone Authority and Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).

Ms. Pinnock said the consultations with the Authority are exploring the type of activities that can be leveraged as the basis for attracting investments and additional developments.

Additionally, she pointed out that discussions with JAMPRO are focusing on the National Investment Policy and the resources that can be brought to bear on the new city’s development.

“So, we are looking very comprehensively at where best it can be located and how we can apply whatever principles we develop to wherever the location is and whatever we find to be the ideal pull for that city,” Ms. Pinnock added.

Persons needing more information can visit the agency’s website at: www.udcja.com.