Cabinet has approved four contracts for the second phase of the restoration project of Kingston's premier heritage site, Devon House.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, speaking at Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, said the restoration work will cost $60 million.

The project, which is the second of three phases, is being funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund.

More than a year

The restoration work is also expected to last more than a year.

The four companies awarded the contracts are APEC Consultants Limited, an architectural firm which will be responsible for the overall design; Prime Development Limited, the main contractors for restoration of the site; and quantity surveyors Stoppi Cairney Bloomfield, which has done previous work at Devon House.

The final firm, Tropical Foliage, will be in charge of the lawns, specifically the landscape of Devon House.

A breakdown of the contract includes $36 million for restoration to the Georgian-style house; $11.9 million for interior decorating; $3 million for gardening work and $8 million for lighting and landscape.

Work will begin immediately and a substantial part of the restoration is expected to be completed by April 25, when the capital hosts JAPEX (Jamaica Product Exchange).

"When Devon House is completed it will replicate not only the glories of the Georgian era that spawned this development, but also create attractions and entertainment and high-end activities," said Minister Bartlett.

The minister noted that the Government is working in conjunction with the National Heritage Trust in restoring the 126-year-old site.

During the post-Cabinet briefing, Bartlett also announced that Cabinet has approved a US$280,000 contract for the reconstruction of the Jamaica Tourist Board's (JTB) website.

New website

This new website will replace the current one being used by the JTB and "will have all the modern technological features for DVDs, videos and everything," he said.

DraftFCB, out of the United States, was awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the website, beating out three local entities that made bids.

"The scope of work for the project involves design and development of a website which reflects the layout and branding consistent with the expectation of a leading destination website," said Bartlett.