Western Bureau — The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is currently examining ways in which it can improve communication with members of the public in the wake of a recent brouhaha over rumours that it was contemplating a US$1.5M project proposal for the Old Hospital site.

The controversial site is one of Montego Bay’s last remaining green areas.

“The UDC is preparing to restart its series of public fora in designated areas, including Montego Bay,” the state-run agency said in a recent release. “These are designed for sharing of information between the UDC and communities in which it operates, and will minimise the circulation of misinformation to citizens,” UDC stressed.

Stemming from issues raised at a recent Resort Board meeting, members of the Montego Bay community flooded the UDC with questions surrounding the proposal to establish an attraction at the Gloucester Avenue site.

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce was among those that expressed concern that the UDC had acted without consulting the Montego Bay community. The rumours were also fueled by information posted on the June 20 issue of a local site, called MoBay Happenings.

But said the UDC: “Contrary to information posted on MoBay Happenings, the UDC has not leased the Old Hospital Site in Montego Bay to any developer, nor is the board of the UDC now looking at any proposal”.

“In the case of the Old Hospital Site, the UDC’s land use plan identifies the site as a green area/recreational park. This is in keeping with the GMRC plan, which has been signed off by the Montego Bay community.”