More to revamping downtown's Parade
Published:Sunday | December 23, 2018 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
For some time now, the mayor of Kingston, Delroy Williams, has been crusading the idea of converting the Greater Parade area into a walking space - that is, minus bus and taxi parking, but retaining the driving spaces.
The proposed parking areas for buses and taxis are more so the current Pechon and Darling Street termini which are to be developed.
My concern is that the planners of this project will take logistic cues from the current multiple roadworks currently taking place in Kingston without due smooth alternatives for vehicular traffic, resulting in gridlocks.
The Pechon and Darling streets' bus and taxi termini to be developed should include covered walkways from the Parade areas, as well as covered termini similar to the elegant HWT JUTC bus terminus to protect commuters from the elements.
Whereas the idea of the development is a good one, the greater development is the security of the commuting public with regard to frequent but hushed robberies and holdups that have become an unfortunate feature of downtown.
As we know from vendors who ply their wares in the nearby Coronation and other markets, weekly robberies by groups of gunmen are part of the curriculum of that space. But they are afraid to speak about it, and even this newspaper might be timid to publish this bit of reality.
So then, the greater challenge of the proposed development is to change the culture of downtown Kingston from the criminal history that it has by equipping the young men of the nearby spaces so that they can be gainfully employed.
We certainly cannot afford another Water Lane white elephant.
a'Lerroy Brown