Trelawny Municipal Corporation to build multipurpose office complex

WASHINGTON DC:

The Trelawny Municipal Corporation is to construct a new two-storey multi-purpose complex to replace its present office building which also houses the offices of the Trelawny Parish Court. The structure is over 250 years old.

Mayor Collen Gager told ‘Trelawnyites’ in New York at the second staging of the Friends of Falmouth Symposium over the weekend, that construction on the multimillion-dollar complex should begin shortly.

He said the drawings and costings for the new structure was in its final stages. “We are working with the National Heritage Trust to make sure that the new building fits within the guidelines of the Georgian historical structures.”

Mayor Gager said upon completion, the new structure will house all the departments of the municipality under one roof. This, he said will make it easier for citizens to access all the municipal services ‘without having to walk all over the town’.

He said the new building will be located at the former Roads and Works compound behind the fire station.

The Falmouth Mayor explained further that repair work on the roof of the 250-year-old building which had partially caved in some months ago, was now under way.

This he said had forced the relocation of the parish court offices to the community of Duncans some 10 miles to the east of the town.

Gager explained, “this building was important to the town as it was one of the important Georgian structures and we as a Council intend to keep it and to transform it into a historical and cultural centre”.

UNVEILING

The present Georgian municipal building was constructed in 1851 and was partially destroyed by fire in 1926. The structure was refurbished in 2007 to coincide with the opening of the new state of the art cruise ship pier which boasts visits from among the largest cruise ships from the Royal Caribbean Cruise lines.

Mayor Gager said that work should resume shortly on the erection of a statue in honour of one of the parish’s favourite sons, legendary track athlete Usain Bolt, construction of which began in November 2021. The work came to a halt due to a number of challenges including the availability of critical parts which had to be sourced overseas and are now expected to arrive shortly.

He said that as soon as the parts have arrived, the Jamaica Defence Force will resume construction in time for unveiling during the Independence celebrations in August 2024.

He added that the Albert George Market constructed in 1894 and named in honour of two of Queen Victoria’s grandsons, Albert and George is also in line for refurbishing.

The market had been leased to private concerns and has now been returned to the Council. He said the town clock, located in the market, is to be repaired and will form part of the restoration of the town centre, named for its historic fountain, Water Square.