The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has opened bids for the lease, development, and management of two prime beachfront properties in Montego Bay.

Walter Fletcher Beach and One Man Beach are being presented by the State agency as “exceptional investment opportunities,” with the potential to unlock the value of prime coastal assets in Jamaica’s tourism hub. Together, the properties span 9.8 acres and are being offered under 25-year lease agreements.

“These facilities have the potential to significantly enrich the local tourism scene, attracting visitors and creating a dynamic environment for community engagement and outdoor activities. The lease agreement will be granted for a medium-term duration, allowing for significant investment and development potential,” the UDC stated in a public notice.

Interested parties are required to submit proposals by February 13, 2025. The tender documents are available online and at UDC’s Kingston office for a fee of $2,500. A public opening of bids will follow on the same day.

The properties are seen as critical components of Montego Bay’s evolving tourism infrastructure.

Walter Fletcher Beach, covering 6.23 acres, is strategically located near the city’s central commercial district, while One Man Beach, at 3.568 acres, offers an opportunity for recreational developments that balance tourism demand with local engagement, the State agency said.

The projects are the latest in a series of initiatives by the UDC to revitalise Montego Bay. In recent years, the corporation has spearheaded several transformative projects, including the development of Harmony Beach Park, a 16-acre public-access facility opened in 2021. Harmony Beach Park features jogging trails, solar-powered facilities, and recreational spaces.

The UDC has also undertaken the Northern Groynes Rehabilitation Project, an initiative to protect Montego Bay’s waterfront from shoreline erosion, which began in late 2021. Additionally, the corporation has managed the renovation of the Harbour Street Craft Market to improve vendor facilities and increase its appeal to both tourists and locals. Another key initiative is the ongoing search for investors to develop Success Estate in Rose Hall, a nearly 70-acre property targeted for resort and residential development.

UDC’s tender for Walter Fletcher Beach and One Man Beach underscores its broader ambition to maximise the economic potential of government-owned assets. The corporation says it is seeking “transformative proposals” that stimulate economic activity, create jobs, and enhance Jamaica’s standing as a world-class tourist destination.

The selection process is expected to favour bids that demonstrate financial viability, robust management plans, and alignment with Montego Bay’s long-term growth trajectory, it said.

— Karena Bennett