Office of the Prime Minister
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Montague Supports Downtown Kingston Facelift
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KINGSTON (JIS):
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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| His Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Desmond McKenzie (left), chairing Tuesday's (November 10) monthly meeting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) Council, downtown Kingston. Seated beside him are special guests: Minister State with responsibility for Local Government, Hon. Robert Montague (centre); and Director General in the Local Government Department, Devon Rowe. |
The Local Government Department of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is to spend over $5 million, boosting efforts by the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) to give downtown Kingston a facelift.
Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government, Hon. Robert Montague, informed the Corporation about the Christmas windfall, when he addressed the monthly Council Meeting Tuesday (November 10).
Mr. Montague's address was part of the KSAC Council's observation of Local Government Month (November), which began with a Church Service on Sunday, November 1.
He told JIS News, following his speech at the Council meeting, that a total of $5.4 million will be disbursed to the KSAC this month. This includes $2 million for the Junior "Council" to finance projects. The 'Council', which comprises 40 youths from Corporate Area primary and secondary schools, each representing a division of the KSAC Council, meets every November as a youth version of the KSAC Council to discuss parochial issues and projects, as part of Local Government Month.
"I think they have done substantially good work and I want to ensure that the experience is meaningful for them," the Minister told JIS News.
He added that an additional $3.4 million is to be granted to support efforts to create a foundation for the rebirth of downtown Kingston. This includes $2 million for putting up storyboards to illustrate points of interest; another $1 million for promoting the commercial area; and $400,000 to exploring the possibility of introducing LED street lights to the area.
Storyboards are graphic organisers, illustrations or images, displayed in sequence promoting an event or a site. LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights are high quality street lights which save 50% - 65% energy, compared to sodium lights, and are considered eco-friendly.
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