KSAMC considering adjusting rent at Constant Spring Arcade

As part of its ongoing review of its finances, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) is considering adjusting the rental fees at the Constant Spring Arcade in St Andrew.

Speaking at the corporation’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby said the current rates, which range between $900 and $2,600 weekly, are not enough to cover the cost of maintaining the facility.

“To put it plainly, there is hardly anything being sold in that arcade for $900 or less, yet that is what some of our tenants pay weekly. And I will say also that some of them don’t pay,” he said.

In July, the KSAMC announced that it had completed renovations on the bathrooms at the Constant Spring Arcade.

At the time, the mayor said the improvements would provide a cleaner and more comfortable environment for vendors and shoppers.

“This was a long-overdue project aimed at making the space more comfortable and hygienic for vendors and shoppers alike,” he said, while noting that the upgrades included plumbing repairs, new fixtures, tiling, painting, and other essential improvements to bring the facilities up to standard.

Meanwhile, Swaby said the KSAMC will also be conducting a review of its corporate leasing arrangements to ensure that returns align more closely with the true value of the properties and the cost of their upkeep.

He said reviews will be done on a case-by-case basis.

“We do not intend to burden our tenants or partners, but we seek to improve the sustainability of the KSAMC’s operations and ensure that we can continue to deliver quality public service,” he said.

The impact of Hurricane Melissa, which caused widespread devastation mainly in the southwestern parishes, will direct much of central government’s resources towards national relief and recovery, the mayor said.

As such, he stressed the need for the KSAMC to develop financial resilience.

“We must stay true to our commitment to addressing inefficiencies and eliminating waste now more than ever; this matters,” he said.

Noting “particular concern” about the KSAMC’s high operational and expenditure costs, Swaby said meetings have already commenced with departments to develop a simple, workable system that helps to manage costs while improving performance.

- Sashana Small

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