Hampden Wharf to transform Falmouth — Dyer
Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Godfrey Dyer says the first phase of the over US$5-million Hampden Wharf development in Falmouth, Trelawy should be ready in time for the 2016/17 Winter Tourist Season.
“It’s a US$5-m project that we are working with the Port Authority (of Jamaica) to have set up. It will take probably 18 months to two years, but the first phase will be ready for the start of the winter season coming,” Dyer disclosed.
The project design is currently being fine-tuned.
The mega project, to be funded by TEF, includes the establishment of an artisan village that will accommodate 30 artisans shops to sprawl on 540 square metres of the land owned by the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ).
“…As I said, the artisan village will form part of that development there because the minister (of Tourism) is very strong on artisan villages in Ocho Rios, Falmouth, Montego Bay; and this probably will be the first one,” the head of the TEF declared.
Other aspects of the development of the series of antiquated wharf building involve the establishment of a commercial centre featuring mini marts, banks, restaurants, medium-sized and small vendor shops; entertainment facilities, including outdoor theatre and museum; public toilets and parking, among other facilities.
The mega Hampden Wharf project to sit on 1.6 hectares of land, which straddle the historic Falmouth Port, is not only expected to seamlessly integrate the port facilities and the town facilities, but to have a significant impact on the lives of the people of Trelawny.
“It (Hampden Wharf project) is just going to transform Falmouth, not just for tourists, but for all the housing people around, because they are going to find restaurants and attractions in there that our local Jamaican people will want to come to. It’s going to make a difference happening in Falmouth,” an excited Dyer declared.
“Plus it’s an area where people who come off the cruise ship will find extremely attractive. And so no longer, once it is done, people will say they don’t have anything to do in Falmouth when they come off the ship.”
