Jamaica
News - Real Estate - Projects
Source: The Jamaica Observer, Observer Reporter, April 28, 2005
Byles to head Harmony Cove Board
PRIME Minister P J Patterson yesterday
announced the appointment of Life of Jamaica president Richard Byles as chairman
of Harmonisation Limited, the company set up to oversee the development of
Harmony Cove, a high-end resort colony in Trelawny.
The remaining members of the board, which will
replace the interim one headed by Kingsley Thomas, CEO of the Development Bank
of Jamaica (DBJ), will be announced soon, Patterson said yesterday.
Patterson said the company, which is jointly
owned by the DBJ and the National Housing Trust (NHT), had acquired 1,500 acres
of prime beachfront property for the $72-billion development, and that four bids
have been received, covering all 12 parcels of the development, with one
investor expressing an interest in purchasing five parcels.
The prime minister said he expected the
bidding process to be completed by May this year, with construction expected to
commence by the second half of the year.
Patterson, who was speaking during a post-budget
news conference at Jamaica House yesterday, said Byles' selection was designed
to get greater private sector perspective on the mega project, which will have a
mix of luxury homes and villas, three upscale hotels, three small hotels, 200
luxury private residences, a private airport, a marina, and two championship
golf courses.
He told reporters that the board would possess
the requisite legal skills and would also include a representative of the
National Contracts Commission. Byles is also to chair the selection committee
responsible for selecting the final bidders.
Patterson also announced yesterday that the
Government was moving ahead with plans to develop Falmouth Wharves, long
identified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
"To capitalise on this distinction we are
moving ahead with plans to develop the site, which will involve refurbishment of
existing structures, and new constructions boasting, among other things, an
indoor theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre, themed restaurants and other
attractions," said Patterson.
He said that with its links to the North Coast
Highway, the development would help to position Falmouth as a major historical
and tourism attraction in its own right.
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