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Mayor: Transport centre needed in downtown Kingston

Published:Tuesday | November 13, 2018 | 12:00 AMJodi-Ann Gilpin/Gleaner Writer
Kingston’s mayor, Delroy Williams

Kingston mayor Delroy Williams believes that there is an urgent need for the establishment of a multifunctional transport centre in downtown Kingston.

Speaking at the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation's monthly meeting yesterday, Williams said robust action must be taken, starting with Central Government through to the Ministry of Transport to get things on track, as it is a development that is badly needed.

"It's a concept, but I say that as chairman of the council, we have to look in terms of transforming the Parade area into a recreational space, from Ward Theatre to the Kingston Parish Church. There are too many historical buildings in that space for it to be the way it is," he said.

"We believe that the space is to be transformed into a recreational corridor, it can be done, but the planning is very important. Personally, there are several locations downtown that are quite appropriate. I believe it's an issue that we need some leadership on. We need to approach the National Works Agency and other agencies for some traffic impact assessment, but it's an issue we need to look at."

Williams also noted that work is under way to renovate the clock in Cross Roads.

"The Cross Roads clock was built to honour Kingston and St Andrew volunteers who fought and died in World War Two. And from day one, we have said that we have to do some renovation work at the Cross Roads clock and the surrounding area to truly honour those who sacrificed, in addition to those volunteers at Kingston and St Andrew," Williams said.

"We'll continue to work at it. We are almost finished with a design and we will bring that design to the council."

jodi-ann.gilpin@gleanerjm.com