The report of the Kingston Redevelopment Committee is now in the hands of the Government. The following is the executive summary of the report.
ON 2002, December 10, Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, instructed that the Kingston Redevelopment Committee be formed "to examine, in conjunction with any other plan, the Study Document - Vision 2020, with a view to determining its acceptance as the basic framework for the Kingston redevelopment envisaged, in order to promote economic development and job creation".
The committee, chaired by Dr. the Hon. Vincent Lawrence, Executive Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), comprised eight members drawn from the public and private sectors.
The committee held 10 meetings between December 16, 2002 and January 22, 2003. Consultations were also held with representatives of all the primary stakeholder groups, to discuss the issues involved and the proposed redevelopment thrust.
In accordance with the terms of reference, one of the first tasks of the committee, was to examine in detail the Vision 2020 Study and other proposals for the redevelopment of Downtown Kingston.
SECURITY ISSUE
While the prescriptions of the redevelopment were generally appropriate, a common weakness, in the collective opinion of the committee, was the ineffectual treatment of the security issue, particularly evident in Vision 2020 where it was virtually non-existent.
This view was reinforced at all the consultations, where security and enforcement of law and order were identified as the pre-eminent issues affecting the area.
The view of this committee therefore is that the provision of security is the catalyst that will transform both the perception and reality of Downtown Kingston by stakeholders, potential investors and the wider public.
Effective management and finance are also perceived to be the other critical ingredients in successfully re-positioning Downtown Kingston as the national capital of the country.
Other important issues identified were management of the Markets District, the provision of adequate primary infrastructure, housing and the rationalization of the transportation nodes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Kingston Redevelopment Committee presents the following recommendations:
1. A Business Improvement District (BID) be set up as a discrete, geographically defined management zone, incorporating key elements of commerce, markets, business and culture.
In general, the area is to be bounded on the South by the sea, on the East by Hanover Street, on the North by North Street, on the West by Darling Street/Spanish Town Road and Marcus Garvey Drive. The specific delineation of the boundaries is included in the recommendations.
2. The area be designated by the Urban Development Corporation under its Act.
3. That the Tax Incentive Act be amended, as necessary, to ensure that the boundaries of the tax incentive area coincide with the boundaries of the BID.
4. A non-profit company limited by guarantee (the company) be formed to carry out those functions of the BID which are supplemental to those currently being carried out by the KSAC, in which the management of the city of Kingston is vested.
Membership of the company will be comprised of representatives from private and public sector companies, corporations, bodies and stakeholders. The company will be governed by a board of directors, consisting of nine members, four of whom are to be appointed by the public sector and five will be appointed by the private sector.
The company will function on the basis of contractual arrangements with both private and public sector entities such as the KSAC and other municipal or statutory authorities.
5. To initiate and ensure immediate action, an interim board of management of the BID be appointed by the Prime Minister for a duration of six months, charged with the responsibility for establishing the company and commencing activities within the BID, as it is not considered prudent to delay the redevelopment.
It is further recommended that the first board of directors of the company should be drawn from the members of the interim board and that the first annual general meeting of the company be held within twelve months of its establishment.
6. That funding be sought for the financial requirements of the company to enable it to operate at its optimal level.
The company operates as a non-profit entity and will seek equity type funding from the local market in the form of contributions.
Subsequently, the company will go to the debt market locally and overseas to secure funds required for the development of the BID.
Additionally, the company will source funds from donor agencies, multilateral and bi-lateral aid agencies, as well as the Jamaican Government.
7. If required, appropriate legislative action be taken to enable the efficient and effective operation and funding of the company.
8. The management of the BID be carried out by the company to ensure the provision of security, public utility services, transportation, regulation of business activities and services and all other related activities and services required within the BID.
9. Security and law enforcement at all levels be put in place for the safety of all stakeholders in the BID. This will include personnel from the state's security forces and private security firms.
The security will be co-ordinated from a central location within the BID and will be equipped with the appropriate financial and technological resources.
10. In the initial stage, focus be given primarily to the establishment of an immediate management presence in the Markets District, the King Street Corridor, the Kingston Waterfront and Harbour Street.
11. Priority be given to the zoning of the BID into ordered activity areas to stimulate redevelopment. Such areas to include the Markets District, the King Street Corridor and Parade Square, the Historic Harbour Street Business Zone, the Transportation Hub, the Waterfront, the institutional and professional district, public parks and open spaces.
TOP PRIORITY
12. The company assumes responsibility for ensuring that all infrastructure and works are in place within the BID.
The revitalisation of the Kingston Harbour be given top priority to ensure that disposal of raw sewage into the Harbour is checked, by improvements to the present sewage and sewerage treatment plants operated by the National Water Commission (NWC).
13. A land and property development policy be developed to facilitate future investment opportunities and to ensure balanced development of the BID.
The policy will encompass such areas as land assembly, incentive management and housing solutions.
14. The company develops and implements a business development, support, marketing and communications programme aimed at all stakeholders, interest groups, the wider urban public and the society in general, to reposition the BID as the commercial and cultural capital of the country.
15. The bus terminals operating in the Parade area be relocated to a proposed transport hub on the western perimeter of the BID.
16. Relevant ministries and Government agencies be required to treat the BID as a priority area and to plan their activities and upgrading in tandem with the company.
17. The company treats tourism, culture, entertainment and sports with special emphasis, to enhance job creation, economic development and the attractiveness of the BID area by encouraging links with the historic and cultural triangle encompassing Kingston, Port Royal and Gun Boat Beach, Spanish Town and Hellshire.
