THE UNITED States Embassy will not be ceasing preparatory work for the construction of its multimillion embassy building on which the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) had issued a stop order.
Orna Blum, US Embassy spokeswoman, told The Gleaner yesterday that an agreement was reached following a meeting between the Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie and Ambassador Sue Cobb yesterday.
However, the details of the meeting were not disclosed.
"It was a very positive meeting and we will be working very closely with the various Government agencies to make sure everything goes according to plan," she said.
Mrs. Blum noted that no penalties were imposed on the embassy.
On Monday, the KSAC issued an order calling for construction work on the grounds earmarked for the building's construction to be halted.
A statement from the Mayor's office said a building officer who was sent to serve the order, was initially denied access to the premises, but was allowed after the Mayor contacted Ambassador Cobb by telephone.
"This Council does not have a double standard. We have one standard for all and anyone who wishes to do construction within the Corporate Area must comply with the Building Act," Mayor McKenzie said in the statement.
The Mayor's action was prompted by Gleaner reports that construction work had begun on the premises located on Bamboo Avenue, Liguanea, St. Andrew.
The US Embassy's spokeswoman, told The Gleaner in an interview last week that ground work had started on the outer parameters of the complex to facilitate the start of construction, scheduled for official groundbreaking in April.
However, Ms. Blum had also advised that approval for construction was still pending, and that the embassy was in court attempting to get a covenant on the property lifted.
The KSAC said the Embassy made an application for approval of the construction on January 30, but had not yet given its approval as it was still in consultation with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) on the matter.
Efforts to have the Mayor's confirmation on the outcome of yesterday's meeting were unsuccessful.
The relocation of the US Embassy to the middle income St. Andrew neighbourhood has been meeting stiff resistance from residents who have concerns about their safety and invasion of privacy.
