Two Memoranda of Understanding and Contract for Phase 1 of the re-development of National Heroes Park were signed on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at National Heroes Park.

One MOU was signed between the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing and the Tourism Enhancement Fund while the other was between the Ministry and CHASE. The contract was signed between the Ministry and Black Brothers.

Speaking at the Signing Ceremony, Transport, Works and Housing Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies noted that his Ministry is the co-ordinating entity for the development of the Park. He said that the various entities had been meeting over a three year period making plans for the development of the Park.

“The name of the project clearly demonstrates the need for support from all groupings – in particular, the political parties. That support has been present.” Minister Davies added.

Continuing, he said, “To date, the collaboration between us, Members of the political directorate, has facilitated steady progress and speaking on behalf of the MPs we commit that this collaboration will continue.”

Also speaking at the signing ceremony were, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites in whose constituency the Park is located; Hon. Noel Arscott, Minister of Local Government under whose portfolio Parks fall; Hon. Damion Crawford who represented Minister Wykeham McNeil (the Tourism Enhancement Fund is the biggest financial supporter to date) and Hon Lisa Hanna in her capacity as the Minister under whose portfolio the redevelopment of the park falls as a legacy project.

Other entities partnering on the Project include: the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), the KSAC, Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA),China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Transurb Technical and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority.

The objective of creating a new National Heroes Park are to have :

·         A defined space which would house national elements of the country’s history  and

·         A recreational space for the people of Jamaica and visitors alike

On completion, the Park is expected to have five distinct zones; these are:

·         The Shrine of the Heroes

·         The Passive Contemplative Zone

·         The Active Zone

·         The Service Zone

·         The Zone for the Parliament Building

The Shrine Zone is expected to house the monuments dedicated to the memory of Jamaica’s seven national heroes; the Passive Contemplative Zone is expected to host a series of reflecting pools framed on each side by rows of tall royal palm trees; the Parliament Building Zone is expected to house the nation’s new Parliament Building while the Service Zone is expected to host the parking lot for motor vehicles.