KSAMC to Repave Streets in Proposed Downtown Kingston Art District

Jamaica News: Kingston’s Mayor, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, has announced that the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) will be repaving roadways in the sections of downtown Kingston where a proposed street art district is to be established by the entity Kingston Creative.

Speaking at Tuesday’s (November 27) launch of Kingston Creative’s initiative, dubbed ‘First 50 Impact Investment Campaign’, at F&B Downtown on Harbour Street in downtown Kingston, Senator Williams said it is estimated that the repaving exercise will cost upwards of $40 million.

“The discussion is [that] we would use paving stones for the areas on those streets. We have also been coordinating with Kingston Creative in terms of the Innovation Hub, and we will be making an investment there from the city’s treasury.  We will, additionally, be assisting with signage… to enhance the aesthetics of the art district and the wider downtown Kingston area,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Williams said the KSAMC is playing its part in the revival of downtown Kingston, citing the Flag Circle, which was officially opened in June, as an example.

“We are also pushing the idea of creating a recreational and historical space within the Parade area, from Ward Theatre… along Coke Methodist Church, Kingston Parish Church, right across [to] the Big Tree. That is an area of rich history and cannot [remain] as it is now with all of the buses coming in disorderly… we have to clean up that area,” he said.

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The Mayor pointed out that a part of that transformational process will entail the proposed discontinuation of public passenger vehicle transits through the Parade area.

“The [KSAMC] is recommending that we construct a true transport centre, and the Municipality is willing to donate the lands for that, [because] we need a proper transport centre that will be central to how public transport enters and leaves the city,” he explained.

Senator Williams advised that he has discussed the proposal with Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness; and Transport and Mining Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, adding that “we have already assembled a team to begin discussing the logistics”.

Kingston Creative’s First 50 Impact Investment Campaign aims to raise $50 million towards the development of the Caribbean’s first-ever dedicated art district and creative hub, being sited in downtown Kingston.

Work to this end has commenced, as artwork by Kingston Creative’s artists is emblazoned on walls along Water Lane.

Kingston Creative also hosts a free event on the last Sunday of each month, which brings together a wide range of artists, artisans and designers.

It is deemed to be laying the groundwork for the development of the art district and hub for creative entrepreneurs.

Stakeholder support for the initiative has already been committed by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport; KSAMC; Red Stripe; Jamaica Observer; C.B. Facey Foundation; F&B Downtown; and PaperboyJA.

Source: JIS News