Mobay mayor says Action Plan discussions to start in December

Montego Bay's mayor, Councillor Glendon Harris, has revealed that discussions are to be held with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in December for the implementation of the much-touted Montego Bay Action Plan.

"The 'One Bay for All' Action Plan is out ... the summary of what is to be done is out as well, and a delegation from the IDB will be here, hopefully, by the end of December, for us to deal with some of the action items," Harris, who is also chairman of the St James Parish Council, told The Gleaner recently.

The Montego Bay Action Plan is a joint venture between the St. James Parish Council and the IDB and is expected to bring significant development to the Second City over a 15-year period.

The plan, which is estimated to cost approximately US$425 million (J$48 billion), falls under the Emerging Sustainable Cities Initiative and is designed to reverse the effects of years of unplanned development while repositioning Montego Bay as a sustainable city.

In previewing the upcoming talks in December, Harris said there were properties within Montego Bay which would be on the agenda for discussion.

"One chief item is to deal with the design for the Charles Gordon Market. We want to deal with the surveying of the New Market land. That would free up the Council to sell some of that property and be able to invest in the furtherance of the development plan," said Harris.

"There will be discussion on the Old Shoes Market, which will include the design and costing so we can put it out for the public-private partnership in the development of shops and multi-storey parking," Harris continued.

The Montego Bay Action Plan has five areas of priority:

1. Sanitation

2. Urban development planning and transportation

3. Employment and training

4. Public safety and reduction of vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters

5. A major thrust to redevelop downtown Montego Bay.