A Short History of Portmore
By Kennedy Reid (2003) | Edited by Joneil J. Alcock (2011)
PART 3- Into The 21st Century
Starting in 1977, the Urban Development Commission (UDC) started to plan and provide for infrastructure to support the growing community. Neighbourhood and community centres, schools, police stations, post offices, health centres and libraries were constructed or facilitated. Over fifty (50) hectares of land were slated for use as a "Civic Centre" (the Portmore Mall is now located in this area).
In 1989, Greater Portmore was planned to consist of 16,000 homes. The West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON) were the main developers, with a US $100 million funding arrangement organized with Venezuela and Mexico in deferred payments. Greater Portmore was planned with all the basic infrastructure of schools, medical centres and other requirements in place. The UDC also developed a major plan for the Hellshire area in the 1960s, but this did not come to fruition initially due to environmental and economic concerns. Presently, the Hellshire area has developed into thirteen (13) distinct communities.
111 Steps South of Port Henderson Hills- The first known photograph of people in Portmore (1892)
In 2000, there were over 170,000 persons living in over sixty (60) communities in the wider Portmore area (mainly the Gregory Park, Cumberland, Greater Portmore and Hellshire communities) along with pockets of farming and other unplanned settlements. Under the Government run by the People's National Party (PNP), there seemed more emphasis on housing in Portmore. Later on the Government administration run by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), appeared to foster emphasis on infrastructure and training development.
Currently, Portmore can boast to be more than just a place for residences. It is the second largest urban area in St. Catherine. It has Jamaica's only race track that earns millions of dollars in revenue each week. The largest supermarket and the largest covered mall in Jamaica are also here. A large HEART Trust/NTA skill training centre and a Community College lead the education effort along with four major high schools. Jamaica's largest Branch Library and Police Stations are in Portmore. There is a fire station and major post offices. Yearly businesses are beginning to rapidly expand into the area.
Entertainment and cultural activities have a rich history in Portmore. Portmore boasts events such as Portmore Week, Portmore Carnival and Hellshire Fish Fest. There are currently three cable tv providers, major beaches and a small hotel strip. There are also historic sites, like the Two Sister's Caves, and rare animals for visitors to see.
For many years, various individuals have advocated a form of municipal Government for the Portmore area. One such person was Maurice Garrison. In 1994, the then Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, stated that the matter should be considered. Later on in April of that year, a task force to plan the possible governance structure was formed, mainly involving the members of the Portmore Joint Citizens Association. By 1997, municipal status for Portmore became a policy for the Government.
In later years, a secretartiat was established and an Official Task Force convened to see the process through. By 2002, Member of Parliament (MP) Simpson-Miller made the matter a priority of the Ministry of Local Government and spurred the matter to be completed before the 2003 loacl Government elections. The municipal structure was to include a directly elected Mayor heading a Municipal Council.
Plans For A Proposed City Hall
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