MP speaks of plan to build major government town centre for Old Harbour

Under this massive and ambitious development plan all state entities based in the town will come under one roof, said Everald Warmington.

Warmington, the Member of Parliament for St Catherine South West of which Old Harbour is the epicenter of commerce, made the disclosure last week following the official handing over ceremony of a new block of classroom at Marlie Mount Primary and a groundbreaking exercise for four additional classrooms at the institution’s infant department.

Speaking to reporters, Warmington said: “Plan is in the works to establish a government town centre. We’re now doing the planning for presentation.

“So the fire station, the market, the police station, the post office, all government agencies… the tax office, will be under one shelter.

“That as much I can say right now, but we have already identified the land and I’m now supposed to do the layout (and) a PowerPoint presentation for the prime minister and some others.”

According to the veteran politician, who has served as the people’s elected representative for more than 25 years, a few acres of land located behind the Lions Club Civic Centre has been earmarked for the development.

That same area, estimated to be a little more than five acres, has also been identified for the construction of a new $489 million Type 5 Health Centre announced last year by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton. The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) will have broad oversight of this project which Old Harbour News understands to be far advanced.

Also far in advanced is the design for a new modern fire station to be built on its original property located on South Street.

The announcement is likely to be welcomed by civic society in the area.

“It is very good news to see that there is some town planning in effect. I am pleased to know that consideration is being given towards town planning,” social activist Randy Finnikin in response to the exciting news.

Finnikin, a staunch critic of state officials for what he believes to be a lack of vision regarding the development of Old Harbour, added: “It is welcome news that it could become a government services hub. I welcome the news with cautious optimism, given that it is a concept … and I clearly will give my full support to such a concept because it would be the product of planning. And should it reach approval, I certainly would put my support and invite civil society and other stakeholder groups to give thumbs up to it because, it would be a historical first to see any form of government planning initiative that could result in significant transformation to the town.”