Mayor eyes old May Pen police station property for shopping hub

Mayor of May Pen Joel Williams says the grounds of the old police station in the town will be transformed into a shopping enclave with individual outlets for vendors, as part of a broader strategy to address illegal vending.

Speaking during Thursday’s meeting of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation, Williams disclosed that the municipality has received favourable response from the National Investment Fund of Jamaica regarding its request to utilise the property.

He explained that the proposed development is intended to complement ongoing improvements in the Bargain Village and Omni Plaza areas, and noted that the required plans and documentation for the property’s use are currently being submitted.

Pointing to the continued challenge of illegal vending across the town, the mayor said individuals involved in the practice have already been engaged through sensitisation sessions conducted with the assistance of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

“These sessions outlined the implications and consequences associated with illegal vending. Now that the sensitisation phase has been completed, enforcement activities will follow,” Williams said.

“It must be clearly stated that designated areas for vending are available, and individuals who are currently vending illegally have been advised of these options. As we continue our efforts to maintain a clean, orderly, and welcoming town - one that residents and visitors alike would want to visit and return to - we ask that all individuals cooperate with these initiatives, which ultimately benefit the entire community, including our vendors.”

The mayor added that a recent meeting was held with stakeholders in the Bargain Village Plaza, a prime commercial area, to address several concerns affecting the space, including illegal dumping.

Immediate actions were taken, he said, including the cleaning and removal of debris from a fenced median at the entrance of the plaza which had, for some time, been used as a dumping site.

Williams said commitments were also made to patch sections of roadway throughout the plaza, a move he believes will improve both accessibility and the overall appearance of the area.

Speaking with journalists following the meeting, Williams said additional initiatives are also being developed to improve the town’s overall appearance and functionality. These, he noted, will focus on traffic management, aesthetics, and the general organisation of the municipality as part of broader efforts to create a cleaner and more orderly environment.

- Olivia Brown

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