Hope, skepticism greet UDC’s ambitious Kingston Waterfront revitalization plan

In early December, when Canadian businessman and resort owner Dean Lettman hit his foot on a piece of steel sticking out of a broken concrete curb wall — a common hazard at the Kingston Waterfront — he thought: “When are they going to fix this place? “.

Fortunately, his near miss happened a stone’s throw from the Ocean Boulevard offices of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), which is drawing up an ambitious plan to lead the renaissance of the Kingston Waterfront, the historic home of the seventh largest natural harbor in the world, connecting it to historic Port Royal when completed.

The project, called Kingston Harbor Walk (KHW), is to be developed in three segments: Segment One – Kingston Pen Gully to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Building; Segment Two — Rae Town to Harbor View; and Segment Three — Harbor View to Port Royal. Segments one and two are being advanced with the support of the Government of Jamaica and its international partners, namely the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The design for segment one is to be carried out under the Kingston Waterfront Improvement Project, implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) through loan financing from the World Bank, with UDC as the lead implementing entity for the development of the public space.

Design for segment two is being done with funds from the GOJ and a grant from the CBD. UDC will lead the implementation.

According to UDC President Norman Brown, “the revitalization of Kingston’s waterfront is a cornerstone in (the corporation’s) vision for a sustainable and prosperous Jamaica.”

“This project is more than an infrastructure investment; it is an investment in the future of our people that promotes economic growth, social cohesion and a renewed sense of national pride,” Brown said in a recent statement issued to Jamaica Observer.

Design work on the project will begin in 2025. Conceived as a 25-kilometre linear park stretching from downtown Kingston to the historic city of Port Royal, KHW is expected to be a “world-class public space, green and durable. supported by a multitude of experiences to connect Jamaicans to the Kingston coast”.

According to the UDC, the Harbor Walk development “will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, social inclusion and resilience”.

But this vision will be a hard sell to most Jamaicans and even tourists researched by Sunday Observer during a recent visit to the area, which for decades has provided solace to people of all walks of life, as well as the odd dog and random bird.

“We know how governments work, especially before an election year, you know people always try to raise their guard when it comes to that season, but I remember in the 80s I came here as a tourist and saw this beach; it was spectacular. I could walk down any of those streets and it’s like I’m in downtown New York or London,” said Lettman, who owns a resort and cafe in Parottee, St Elizabeth. Sunday Observer.

Asked by this reporter about the project’s scope, cost and timeline, Lettman has his own ideas about what it should entail to make it more attractive.

“I don’t know how long it will last, but this is a diamond; they will have the ferry (a service that once brought passengers between downtown Kingston and Port Royal) back in action, because they should. It would be a nice show. It’s going to happen in my lifetime, right?” he wanted to know.

“I would love to see this developed, but they don’t have the timeline. We know they have deadlines when they want; once you don’t have a timeline, we know it’s going to be a long and bitter process, but at least there’s something to look forward to, this place is fantastic,” he said.

Two Jamaicans, one a retiree and the other a government worker, who were among those relaxing in the shade of one of the many trees in the area were a little more convinced that the project would come to life.

“The singing that I see people come to this place, only God can tell me that you must do. Miss, I can’t believe it; they come and measure and say this, go and the same. For a nice cotton front like that, just come here on a Sunday and look and see how much a people, suh would be (be) surprised. Worst, when Gloria’s (seafood) is in session on a Sunday and people come to buy food. It’s a shame. “Yuh waan si di park in England how beautiful oh my God man,” said the pensioner who preferred not to be identified.

“Why continue to live in dreams, a donkey of years is a discussion. Over the years this should have been done a million times because millions of people tune in to do it, where does all that money go? We need to ask those questions. The questions that people (are) asking are not being asked. It’s not just one side, both sides are doing the same thing. When money is given to do something, nobody knows where that money goes,” he continued.

“We only receive promises. A place like this shouldn’t stay like this. The amount of people who come here, this place should be beautiful, they look, waste time, trust me. I am going to England and coming back here, nowhere as nice as here, we just need money, if we have money we can live the best life,” he said confidently.

“If you check most places in the world, like Manhattan and so on, we can have a pier similar to what’s happening elsewhere, because you have the whole craft market; the craft market is there and they don’t make much money, only the ROK hotel helps them. He should do more for the people here,” his sparring partner chimed in.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a dream, but if you realize what the Government are doing, they’re spending a lot of money doing other things, why not look down here, maybe this is the chance for them to come and do something here down here, even a solar plant could come here, because it’s always sunny down here,” he thought.

At a pair of rod casts, a fisherman, who identified himself only as “Teacha,” as he baited and cast the line, told them Sunday Observer actually, “I don’t know, come on, let’s hope something bigger happens gwaan. We’re still here to see, you know. I would like it to be done.”

That sentiment was shared by a pair of tourists relaxing in the shade of a small palm tree a few meters away, who were in the area for the 2024 Kingston Biennale organized by the National Gallery of Jamaica.

“We’re from New York and Baltimore. My parents are from here. I think things as I see them, it’s a great idea as long as they take care of the people who are here and as long as they benefit from whatever development happens and no one is displaced or hurt in the process,” said the visual artist Lehna Huie for Sunday Observer.

“I enjoy the space now, I come here every day during breaks, it’s very nice. I spent a lot of time coming here growing up, always enjoying the space and coming to the waterfront. I’ll believe it when I see it, and I’d love to see it when it comes,” she said with a smile.

“I think when it comes to Government, it’s show and tell; I know that many times the locals don’t benefit. So it would be really amazing if they are thought of first. I pray that it happens and that it all benefits the locals who put their blood, sweat and tears into this land,” commented Michelle Blu, Huie’s artistic counterpart.

For Kingston Craft Market vendor Kay-Ana, the improvements to the space are proof that UDC can deliver on its promised revival.

“It already looks beautiful; to me this didn’t look like it until they decided to redevelop it and have a craft market. This is beautiful and turning it into a park will bring more of a feeling where people can come and stay; You know, sometimes people want spaces where they feel safe because downtown has an image and you realize the hotel is here now, so that would be a great change. Then you have food and you can look at crafts and shop and so on. It will be an improvement for everyone,” she said optimistically.

According to UDC CEO Robert Honeyghan, “Kingston’s waterfront redevelopment is not just about transforming physical space – it’s about reigniting the heartbeat of our city and creating a dynamic environment where history, culture and community converge. This new waterfront is a chance for us to finally have a place where we can come together, celebrate our culture and feel proud of our city.”

The vision for the KHW linear park is that it will enable and reactivate the wider redevelopment of blocks and adjacent areas along the harbour, between Ocean Boulevard and Port Royal Street, Rae Town and Harbor View to Port Royal. Redevelopment activities will be flexible, with a mix of potential scenarios including improving and renovating the current real estate; with some higher density construction that will transform and revitalize the area, introducing more commercial, residential and entertainment spaces.

The Kingston waterfront is steeped in history. The city’s wider grid plan, established in 1702, has its origins in the original European settlements. The streets, laid out in a rigid north-south, east-west orientation, have seen centuries of change – from the booming days of the sugar and rum trade to the challenges of post-independence urban development. However, despite its historical significance, downtown Kingston has struggled to reach its potential as a cultural and economic center.

The 1960s and 70s saw the first major attempt to modernize the waterfront, with the creation of Ocean Boulevard and the construction of office buildings and hotels. However, the hope for the revival of the central business district did not fully materialize. Subsequent efforts in the 1990s focused on creating an institutional framework to attract private investment, but these too failed to transform the area.

Today, Kingston’s waterfront remains a largely untapped resource, comprising only a few residential buildings and sporadic cultural activities, the biggest success being the annual fireworks display on the Waterfront which, since 1999, has attracted thousands of people to ring in the new year.