Gov’t advances plans to redesign sections of Montego Bay

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government is advancing plans to redesign sections of Montego Bay, including the city’s waterfront, as part of the wider reimagining of Destination Jamaica. Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett provided an update on the plans while addressing a group of local and international media virtually, during a media breakfast held as part of the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) on Tuesday, September 15, at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, St Ann. “Montego Bay is going to be redesigned, and the entire waterfront area is going to be reimagined with a special development in the Freeport area that will look pretty much like Biscayne Boulevard in Miami,” he said.

Bartlett informed that the designs are being prepared for the waterfront and other townships across the island. “The Urban Development Corporation (UDC), the Port Authority of Jamaica and the Factories Corporation of Jamaica have been given the task of working with the architects to enable those designs to be out as quickly as possible, and the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) will be the agency responsible for overseeing and enabling the execution,” he explained. He noted, however, that the process is still in its early stages and, consequently, further details are not yet available.

“I cannot give you any more details at this time because… NaRRA has just been commissioned, and the work has just begun, but we want the world to know that the plans are there for a fully reimagined destination,” said Bartlett. He pointed out that Prime Minister Andrew Holness previously announced plans to reimagine several areas of the country. The minister said a meeting is scheduled for October 2 to focus on the Montego Bay Hip Strip, with the prime minister and several stakeholders, including himself, expected to participate.

Meanwhile, the minister said Black River and Falmouth are among other townships slated for redevelopment as part of the wider effort to reimagine Destination Jamaica following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. “Black River, for example, that was significantly damaged. We’re going to change the whole physical arrangement there and move the town further inland, away from the coastline,” he said, adding that the same will be done in Falmouth.