Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (left), places a 'Spruce Up Jamaica' sticker on a car during the New Kingston Initiative, in support of the national 'Spruce Up Jamaica' project, on Friday, December 7. Partly hidden is Carrole Guntley, director general, Ministry of Tourism. - JIS photo

MONTEGO BAY, ST. JAMES:

Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, on Friday, signed two contracts totalling $95 million, for the comprehensive upgrading of Gloucester Avenue (Hip Strip) in Montego Bay and the development of small hotels and properties across the tourism capital.

The first contract was signed between the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and PA Consulting Limited for the Gloucester Avenue Resort Upgrading Project, which will seek to formulate a strategy and a set of design guidelines for improving the overall appearance and create a distinctive character for the Hip Strip, at a cost US$500,000 ($35.5 million).

The project is designed to cover Gloucester Avenue from Dead End Beach to Pier One, moving inland along the main road, covering the Harbour Street and Old Fort craft markets.

The second contract signed was between the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and JN Small Business Loans Limited for the TEF Small Property Hurricane Dean Loan Programme, which will see some $60 million available for improving and reviving the small properties within the hotel sector at a low cost of 2.5 per cent interest.

Economic restructuring

Mr. Bartlett pointed out that the overall time period for the completion of both projects would be 68 weeks, at the end of which there would be an economic restructuring designed to identify the Hip Strip's best market opportunities and develop a strategy to strengthen existing businesses, develop new ones and find new types of use for the area.

- JIS