Council hunts funds to restore Spanish Town square

Funding is being sought to restore several buildings in Emancipation Square, Spanish Town, St Catherine, at a cost of $600 million.

"We are looking at UNESCO and the European Union to fund the project," said Christopher Powell, secretary manager of the St Catherine Parish Council. "We need to return the square to its former glory. This is to help with our move towards heritage tourism."

Among the buildings to be restored over a two-year period are the old assembly hall and the building that houses the parish council offices.

Powell, who was attending the local government symposium at the Twickenham Park Open Bible Church, said in addition to the restoration exercise, there are plans to relocate the parish council operations.

"As for the council operations, we have to dispose of some of the council assets within this fiscal year, then we will seek to acquire a piece of the land earmarked for a training centre for fire personnel."

He said the restoration of the parish council building is estimated to cost between $60 million and $80 million.

- Rasbert Turner