Dear Editor,

It has been announced that the lands at Up Park Camp are to be used for housing development. However, I think the prime minister should reconsider his decision and put the matter on hold in order to consult with the various stakeholders.

The Kingston parish boundary should be removed west of Ferry in order to extend the parish of Kingston. Up Park Camp should remain in its present location and the property developed in line with, say, a Fort Brigg or Fort Knox.

The lands in the Caymanas Area that are to be used for the relocation should be used to build houses, commercial entities, an entertainment complex, a park (green area), schools and churches.

To relocate Up Park Camp would reduce Kingston to a concrete jungle. We cannot afford that when we are going talking about “green”.

Up Park Camp is the site of one of the oldest Anglican churches in the Caribbean, the Garrison Church of the Ascension, two cemeteries, Briggs Park which is currently being used for interments and the Garrison Cemetery which has not been used in a while. There is a military museum. In addition there are: the office complex, the MSQ buildings, the workshops, the stables, the canines, the helipad, the medical centre and the parade, a recently constructed cenotaph and mausoleum, to name a few places of interest and importance on the property.

What about the cell in which National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante was detained at Up Park Camp in the 1938 Frome riots?

What about the now infamous “Red Fence” where Jamaica Labour Party activists and members were detained during the “infamous” 1976 State of Emergency? How can this piece of history be destroyed?

I would like to inquire of PM Golding if he is in dialogue with the National Heritage Trust as there are sites and buildings at Up Park Camp that could be declared “Heritage Sites and Buildings”.

It would cost tens of millions of dollars to exhume the remains of the bodies that have been interred in the two cemeteries for reburial at another site or location.

The prime minister has indicated that the government has no money to invest in this venture and is inviting private investors to help transform the present landscape into a “concrete jungle”.

This piece of real estate is one of the legacies given to us by our former colonial masters. It was the home of the British West Indies Regiment. Should they be consulted for their input?

What about the legal implications re the wholesale transfer of lands? Are there any restrictive covenants that could put a damper on the sale of the lands?

The JDF is also now engaged in police work as they work alongside the JCF to maintain law and order in trying to reduce the high crime rate. It is easy to respond to a flare-up of violence in Kingston or Spanish Town from Up Park Camp. We must bear in mind that there is a camp in Moneague and barracks in Port Maria, Mandeville and Montego Bay.

What are the plans for Newcastle, a heritage site, which is badly in need of refurbishing? Why not float a bond to effect the necessary repairs and make it a tourist attraction?

Mr Prime Minister, leave Up Park Camp alone and concentrate on urban renewal.

Joseph M Cornwall

tranquillityfh@yahoo.com