King's Manor Development ready for occupancy

Barbara Ellington, Public Affairs Editor

Earl Jarrett, general manager of the Jamaica National Building Society, is urging the Church to use its position in society to help members take command of their financial knowledge and make financial advice and counselling available to them. He made his remarks as guest speaker at Sunday's official tour and blessing of the King's Manor Development of five town houses built by the Boulevard Baptist Church.

Jarrett, who lauded the developers for their prudent management of the project, noted that with the lack of growth in Jamaica's economy over the last 40 years, the Church must pay keen attention to the performance of the country.

dedication of the church

"The Church has to play a more active role in monitoring the economy of our country so that we can all be in a position to speak up for better financial accountability for the nation."

Meanwhile, Dr Moaris Guy, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Transport Works and Housing, commended the Boulevard Baptist Church leadership for "conceptualising this development and taking it to the next step to fruition. It speaks to the dedication of the church in addressing some of the other social needs of the community outside of the usual involvement. Today's event also speaks to the partnership which can exist between government and private entities in the furtherance of the objective of housing the nation. It also speaks to the facilitatory role government must play as a matter of policy to encourage and nurture such expansion of the housing stock."

estimated Completion

By the end of this month, owners will be able to take possession of the King's Manor town house complex at King's Drive, off Halifax Road, St Andrew. By then, the cosmetics of complete landscaping, complete paint job and repair to road damaged by the laying of sewerage pipes will be complete.

The Reverend Devon Dick, pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church, and the five-member board who led the project deserve credit for the project. The $100 million project was funded by the church and the National Housing Trust. In his report about the project, chairman Hugh Reid said ground was broken last July.

The project team comprised Taylor architects, Burrowes and Wallace - quantity surveyors, contractors Surrey Paving and Aggregates Company Limited, land surveyor Ainsworth Dick, and Carl Chin - structural engineer.

Situated on lots of 1,630 square feet, one unit will be reserved for the church and it will be rented. The owners get: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a powder room, in a gated community with front garden, back patio, internal laundry area, solid surface kitchen countertops and ceramic tiles.

Each unit is assigned two parking bays with pre-approval for the addition of a third bedroom and land space reserved for construction of a sixth unit.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com