THE EDITOR, Sir:

Your editorial on Saturday speaks of wishing to see more green space for Kingstonians and that the recently approved budget for the restoration of Devon House might perhaps have been too heavy on the house itself.

While we all yearn for more green areas in Kingston, this editorial misses the point of Devon House. It is much more than a park. Devon House represents an important aspect of our cultural heritage just as Emancipation Park represents another. Established in 1881, Devon House was built by George Stiebel, reputed to be Jamaica's first black millionaire. The house itself, a cultural heritage site, attracts a number of Jamaicans (including school children) and tourists each year, who are not just from Kingston. They travel some distance to visit places like Devon House and the Bob Marley Museum.

The new board, established in December last year, toured the house and found it in a shocking state. I myself was embarrassed as a Jamaican to see our cultural heritage represented in this way. Our first priority then, was to restore the house in order to preserve and protect it.

The new board also intends to focus on the courtyard which, for us, is much more than ice cream! While Devon House ice cream has become synonymous with the site, the shopping experience without the proper focus on our craft and cultural heritage, has largely been abandoned and left to the private sector for its own entrepreneurial input. Another priority, then, is to ensure that we refocus the retail and entertainment mix there, so that we can offer a wealth of options for Jamaicans and visitors alike. This will take some time as it must be done in a way that shows respect for our cultural heritage.

We certainly plan on restoring the gardens and intend to improve the security there so that all visitors to the property will feel secure. A tall order for the little green space we have there!

I am, etc.,

CARLA SEAGA

Chairman,

Devon House Board

Devon House, Kingston