Emile Grant, Contributor
(In a letter to the Editor)
THE RECENT article written on the development of Port Royal, Kingston and Spanish Town (the historic triangle) was different from any article or discussion on the development of Jamaica's capitals. It is the first time I have read a proposal on exactly how the project could be financed and estimates for the first phase. The inclusion of a public offer as part of the financing is creative.
This type of financing will give Jamaicans at home, and hopefully overseas, an opportunity to invest in the redevelopment of Jamaica's capitals. Proposals which were to be financed by just the Government of Jamaica and the private sector attracted some amount of scepticism.
The redevelopment of the capitals should also include a programme to improve the social and economic infrastructure of the communities surrounding the capitals. As the Jamaican Government is strapped for cash, Jamaican communities overseas could be approached to adopt an inner-city community, for example, Jamaicans in Houston could adopt Hannah Town. Houston has approximately 30,000 Jamaicans and has an association for Jamaicans living in Houston. If half of these Jamaicans donate $10 per month, US$150,000 or J$7.5 million dollars would be available for the development of a community. The adoptions would involve the procurement of materials and hiring community members through a contractor to execute infrastructural improvements.
If this project is to get off the ground shortly, then research should be conducted immediately as to what type of support public offering at home and overseas would receive at this time and whether overseas Jamaican communities would be willing to adopt local communities.
If the support of Jamaicans is confirmed, then hoteliers could be approached to increase the number of rooms in Port Royal.
