Trench Town project on hold
Published:Wednesday | January 5, 2011 | 12:00 AM
The National Housing Trust's plan to appoint O.K. Damani Construction Company Limited as developer of the Trench Town Commercial Complex is on hold pending the company's reregistration with the National Contracts Commission (NCC).
The NCC signed off on the process used to select O.K. Damani for the $56.3 million job in August, but the company's registration with the NCC has expired since, said the National Housing Trust (NHT), delaying the next phase of the process - Cabinet approval.
The estimated construction period for the project is 12 months.
The company was also approved as developer of the Trench Town Basic School, a $20.64-million job.
No time frame given
No timeline for start of construction on the commercial centre was given by the trust.
It includes 11 shops, which will be managed by the strata association for the Trench Town housing development, personnel of which will be trained for the responsi-bility by the trust's Social Development Unit.
The types of businesses to be accommodated will depend on decisions taken by the strata association.
"The demand for a commercial complex is very high as attested to by social surveys of the communities," said the NHT in a written response to Wednesday Business queries.
"The centre will, therefore, allow for a more structured approach to facilitating small-scale entrepreneurial activity in the community."
The NHT will maintain ownership of the commercial complex. Shops will be leased to business operators through the strata association.
The lease terms have not yet been determined.