Bid to restore MoBay's glory

Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:In an ambitious bid to reposition Montego Bay and return the city to its glory days as a premier tourism destination, the St James Parish Council is to establish a Montego Bay Redevelopment Committee (MBRC) to undertake the task.

Arguably, one of the leading tourism destinations in the Caribbean in former times, Montego Bay is now seen as a mere relic of the past as it is plagued by social disorder to include renegade taxi operators lining the main thoroughfare, merchants trading their wares in prohibited areas and chaotic pedestrians and vehicular traffic flow.

"We want to ensure that Montego Bay stays alive," said the city's Mayor Glendon Harris, who is also chairman of the St James Parish Council. "We want to see tourists moving freely around the city and enjoying it again."

According to Mayor Harris, the disorder in the city is having a negative impact on tourism and based on his vision for the city, he wants swift and decisive action to arrest the situation, which is also causing a steady decline in businesses in the resort town.

As the new initiative begins to take shape, street vendors have been mandated that, as of August 31, they are to relocate to upgraded facilities at the Charles Gordon Market. In addition, taxi operators, who ply the Cornwall Courts and Farm Heights/ Rose Heights routes have moved out of the heart of the commercial district and relocated on the outskirts.

"We are not getting enough tourists down town because we are disorganised and the area looks unattractive," said Mayor Harris. "We have had our meetings with all the various groups, including the business community, and all are on board with this initiative."

Mayor Harris said he is poised to hold discussions with the operators of Tastee Patties, which is located along Barnett Street, with a view to getting their parking facilities for the taxi operators using that area of the city.

Dion Chance, president of the National Council of Taxi Associations, says he believes that with no new bus park expected in the foreseeable future, the changes are the best solution at this time. He also rejected the suggestion that the move was a case of transferring the problem from one area to another.

"For me, it is working," said Chance. "The focus is on restoring some order in how one operates, so that our town can be attractive not only for our visitors, but also for us to do business."