That Heroes Circle project

IWRITE in response to architect Clifton Yap’s letter addressed to the prime minister of Jamaica, dated Tuesday, April 24, 2018, regarding the proposed plans for National Heroes Park.

We note the concerns outlined in your letter, albeit which also contains some inaccuracies, and all of which I will seek to address below. With respect to specific details of the master plan, I must remind you that we have developed the concept master plan, in order to provide guidance to the Government.

The UDC is in the process of conducting feasibility studies and engaging in public consultations to further refine the set of plans prior to execution.

With respect to your reference to the concept master plan and proposed demolition of existing buildings around the oval, the brief to the UDC by the prime minister for the development of the National Heroes Park does not include loss of use. On the contrary, the mandate is to redevelop and upgrade housing stock and commercial and recreational space.

We appreciate your frustration that things may not be progressing as rapidly as anticipated. However, the UDC is working through the standard development process to understand the social impact and the environmental, infrastructural and business case required to validate the master plan.

As part of a broader national educational campaign to engage with Jamaicans on this most transformational infrastructural initiative since Independence, the UDC has already engaged the Social Development Commission (SDC) to undertake a social-impact study to include town hall meetings, focus groups, business and municipal interests, house-to-house surveys, etc., within the designated zones.

PLANS UNDER WAY

From your own dialogue and communication exchanges with the UDC, including a meeting held as recently as Tuesday, May 1, 2018, you would note that plans are well under way to launch the competition for the design and ultimate construction of the Parliament building in Heroes Circle.

While this initiative, symbolically, is a major step towards the continued development of downtown, it must be noted that the Parliament building design project is separate and apart from the overall plans surrounding the proposed Government Oval Zone.

As you know, the competition – which is a procurement tool – will engage Jamaican architects living here and in the diaspora and will give them an opportunity to put their skills and talents on display for all Jamaica to see. Importantly, the winner will play a significant role in writing a piece of Jamaica’s history.

The construction phase of this initiative will be put to local tender, affording local companies an opportunity to provide construction, engineering and supply of materials.

Your comment regarding lack of public spaces and access for Jamaicans because of this project is not correct. Your analysis to the King George VI Memorial Park 1956 Act was incomplete as the act also stipulates that up to 11.4 acres may be designated for the Parliament building. In fact, the concept master plan outlines that the majority of the space in the proposed development of Heroes Park will be designated for public access. This includes access to the monument sites, the public museum and recreational spaces.

Further, the competition brief, which was developed by JIA member architects licensed under the Architects Registration Act (2006), and which is being reviewed by the jurors and the bipartisan Parliamentary oversight committee, has mandated the inclusion of iconic public green space as a public garden, pleasure park and recreation area within the designs.

Note as well that the newly developed iconic park will ensure open access to Jamaicans, as well as visitors who will be able to learn more about and engage with our heritage, history and culture.

In addition, the master plan for the Government Oval zone includes plans for more than 23 acres of active recreation and green space designated for public use within the local communities. These will include, among other amenities, football fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, etc.