KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness today assured the House of Representatives that the process of redeveloping the Heroes Circle neighbourhood in downtown Kingston will be done through a competitive process.

“We have decided that the best way is to have a competitive process, and therefore we have not escalated this thing up to cabinet to make a decision. We want to be informed,” the prime minister told the House, in response to questions raised by Opposition MP, Peter Bunting,

“So, the feasibility is being done, as we speak and I can assure you that it is going to be the competitive process,” he assured the Opposition.

“It is not going to exclude anyone. It will include all who have to participate; local and international, both on the financing side, on the architectural and design side, and on the construction side. We designed the MoU with this in mind,” Holness added.

The Prime Minister said that the development proposal is not yet at a stage for public consultations, as the feasibility studies will guide the finalisation of the plans.

“The GOJ and the UDC are however, committed to responsibly engaging their public and private sector partners as well as the affected communities and general public as the project progresses,” he noted.

He said that, in the interim, the government will be having a town hall at Heroes Circle on October 25, where all members of the community and stakeholders will be invited.

“We will answer their questions and address their concerns,” he added.

He said that, in keeping with the commitment, a contract has been prepared for the retention of the Social Development Commission – the agency mandated to lead interventions and sensitisation of communities regarding government programmes – to lead this aspect of the project going forward.

The UDC has also initiated consultations with the MP and councillors of the Central Kingston constituency, stakeholders such as the Wolmer’s Trust, and Members of the technical, professional and construction industry to seek their input on the way forward.

The most recent concept master plan for the development of Heroes Circle, includes National Heroes Park and adjoining communities such as Allman Town and Fletcher’s Land, is being led by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC). However, to date, the only element of the proposal which has been advanced is for the design of a new of a new Parliament building which will form part of the Government Oval Campus, has been advanced.

However, some residents have been incensed by suggestions that the plans have already been completed without their input.

Balford Henry