BOUNDBROOK, Port Antonio — The $2.8-billion construction phase of the $4.2-billion Boundbrook Urban Centre in this parish will last 18 months, according to Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) Chairman Lyttleton “Tanny” Shirley.

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) officially began work Thursday, after signing the contract on April 25. Ground was broken on the ambitious project in August 2024.

Shirley explained the similarities to the Morant Bay Urban Centre in St Thomas which had a soft opening recently.

“Like Morant Bay, three months before the 18 months finish, we will call in our clients and say, ‘We are not 100 per cent, and we might still have landscaping to finish. We might be at 98, but still finish enough for you; [there is] the outside work that we have to do while you are doing your retrofitting, while we continue to work so that we both end at the same destination at the same time — one finishing line. This is what Boundbrook is all about this afternoon. Today is the starting day, and ready to kick off. The funding is in place,” he assured.

Spearheaded by FCJ, the project’s equity partners are Barita and NCB Capital Markets.

Located on the former Boundbrook Industrial Estate, the development will cover 6.68 acres. The length of time construction will take has varied over the years. In a November 2020 update on its website, FCJ said it would take 16 months. At the April contract signing 24 months were being bandied about.

On Wednesday, Shirley, who was firm on the 18-month timeline, also spoke of what is to come.

“Once we get this rolling we will be looking at phase two of the development. That is the railway land; that is a big thing, it is a larger lot of land and we will be doing more commercial activities that will support the tourism sector. That is imminent to be part of this beautiful tranquil parish. We support it, and the next step will be a major step,” he explained.

The project is expected to be a significant boost for Portland and, according to Shirley, as stipulated in the contract, locals will be employed during the construction stage.

“We are going to use our people here from Portland, it is in the vicinity here, and it is about their development and their opportunity,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Portland Eastern Ann-Marie Vaz expressed pleasure at the project’s start and the potential job opportunities.

“This is one of the proudest days for me as a Portlander. This is a dream come through, this is going to be a game changer for my East Portland family, and where shared prosperity for all will happen. This public-private partnership has resulted in our being here for this construction work. I have conceptualised this since 2017, and it is a joy to see the realisation,” she said.

“The Boundbrook Centre has 148,000 square feet of building space available, of which 6,000 is for BPO, providing 3,000 jobs for our young people here at this urban centre. When you have a good dream and a vision that you know will benefit the people, don’t lose focus, keep focus on what is right. Performance over propaganda; we are going to show what performance is, and in 18 months I am asking God to give me life that I can see this to its completion. I am passionate about this and I am happy, for this is what Portland needs!” the MP added.

According to the FCJ website, the urban centre will be home to government offices such as the Portland Municipal Corporation (PMC), the tax office and the Registrar General’s Department as well as commercial/retail space to accommodate fast food establishments, financial institutions, healthcare facilities, a sports bar and lounge, a supermarket, and a gymnasium.

Construction will be overseen by local, privately owned Kencasa Construction and Project Management Ltd.

“The engineers have designed the building… our aspect is to manage. We will manage within the cost and schedule, and ensure that the 18-month commitment is met. We will manage the quality of the execution by CHEC, which is a great construction company, but we want to ensure that the people of Jamaica get what they deserve, and what they are paying for, and that’s what our job entails,” assured Kencasa CEO Kirk Kennedy.

So far, the FCJ’s Shirley is pleased with the support provided by all the players involved including CHEC, Portland Mayor Paul Thompson, the municipal corporation, its acting CEO Jumaani Robinson and superintendent of roads and works Raymond Grant.

“I must speak of the efficiency of the parish council (former name for municipal corporations), the guidance given to us when our plans went to them, the dedication, the communication with us. The guidance given from them, you could not ask for better,” he said.

“This is what Government agencies ought to be, how to help to execute — not to kill, to execute — commitment for handover, planning, right engineering work,” Shirley added.