Kingston’s mayor expects transformed downtown within a year

Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams said that he expects downtown Kingston to be transformed within a year.

"This space, I would say in another year or short of a year, will not just be as it is now. But it will be as I would say buzzing with commerce. There will be restaurants and your bars and things that people can come into and relax and have a drink in an open air setting," he said. "So I'm confident in a year or two downtown Kingston will be transformed in a very positive way and a meaningful way."

Williams was speaking at the unveiling of a new mural which was commissioned by the government of India on Water Lane yesterday. Williams shared his pleasure at the prospects of the space.

"That's the real vision for the space and I am seeing it blossoming as I'm seeing more agencies now beginning to come, agencies that can help to make it happen. I'm seeing those agencies coming on board and demonstrating the pathway. [They will be] helping us to pace the pathway to that vision," he said.

Following the opening of the ROK Hotel at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and King Street, the mayor said that he has seen an increase in the number of people coming into downtown Kingston for pleasure. With the transformation, Williams said that this brings to light the importance of greater security measures to ensure the safety of those in the space.

"We have started to see many persons coming into the space which creates other concerns that as a municipality and as a country we have to address. We have to address the issue of safety and security within the space and I believe that the council [municipal corporation], that is something we have to really deliberate on and coordinate with the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force] on," he said.