Dr. Carol Archer, director of the Urban and Regional Planning Division at the University of Technology (second left), speaking at a breakfast meeting on Tuesday organised by the Voluntary Social Organisation at the Gleaner Company Ltd., downtown Kingston. Others from left are Ms. Lucille Brodber of the Urban Development Corporation; Mr. Elon Beckford, who chaired the breakfast meeting; and Mrs. Karin Cooper, Product Improvement and Overseas Publications Manager of The Gleaner. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer THE $50 MILLION redevelopment project for the Greater Allman Town Area in Central Kingston is expected to begin in under four weeks.
This information was relayed to community leaders at a breakfast meeting of the Voluntary Social Organisation at the Gleaner Company's corporate headquarters, downtown Kingston, on Tuesday.
The Greater Allman Town Area covers communities such as Woodford Park, Kingston Gardens, Allman Town and Campbell Town in Central Kingston. The redevelopment project is being co-ordinated by the Urban Development Corporation and will involve agencies such as the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Fire Department.
Road repairs, the construction of two basic schools, repair of fire hydrants and the clearing of drains and gullies are some of the work to be undertaken under the programme. The wider development plan for the communities will see the construction of new housing developments, the repair of existing structures and the building of recreational areas.
Dr. Carol Archer, one of the moving forces behind the Allman Town re-development project and director of the Urban and Regional Planning Division at the University of Technology (UTech), said that these proposals followed extensive consultations with residents.
She told the meeting that there was need for a community housing co-operative agency and that the matter of ownership of land, houses and other buildings in the area must be settled before embarking on any major redevelopment programme. Various government agencies will be approached to assist with this exercise.
Community leaders welcomed the plans but Councillor and People's National Party (PNP) candidate for Central Kingston, Victor Cummings, said that "a maintenance programme is something we need to look to put in place" as part of the overall project.
The Gleaner Company Ltd. is co-ordinating the re-development initiative in Allman Town along with the University of Technology's Urban and Regional Planning Division and the Voluntary Social Organisation being spearheaded by Mr. Elon Beckford, who chaired Tuesday's meeting.
Another meeting is set for October 29 at the St. Matthew's Church Hall when residents and community leaders of the Greater Allman Town Area will continue to discuss re-development plans for their various communities.
