The Crown Plaza Hotel dispute

THE EDITOR, Madam:

THIS IS an open letter to the Government of Jamaica and to the United States Government in Jamaica.

Since it is not likely that another meeting of the community in the vicinity of the Crowne Plaza Hotel will take place with the Minister and United States Representatives over the proposed sale, to the United States Government, please allow me to address certain relevant points of interest, both to our Jamaican Government and the United States interests.

I commend our Government, for the opportunity of discussion on the matter, with their citizens to obtain their views, and opinions, before closing the deal.

The citizens have been unanimous, and unmistakably clear, that whereas they welcome the American Embassy staff as neighbours they emphatically denounce any attempt to bring the visa section into the area. They have stated their reasons to the Minister.

They have listened to the proposed changes by the Consular Section, to modify their present system to greatly alleviate the crowd, including the genuine applicants for visas, presently an eyesore and a problem to the Americans, this has not in any way changed the opinion of citizens. The American proposal to provide vending machine for refreshment inside the cutilage will not prevent the crowd of coconut vendors, sugar cane carts, snowcone vehicles and other shops, photographers, touts and hangers-on from adding to the congestion and quality of life in this neighbourhood.

The proposed deviation of the road to ease traffic by a detour behind the market has not impressed them, neither this plan which has been on the drawing board for over 20 years. Further the very proposed roadway shows squatters homes some substantial concrete buildings in the roadway.

No sufficient plans has been made for parking space of buses, cars, taxis, etc. This condition even now is in an unsatisfactory state, and traffic at the Constant Spring area needs to be relieved, not aggravated. At present, road converges at this point from Stony Hill, Norbrook and others not to mention the hundreds of market sellers who come down from the hills to meet at the mall.

I do not accept the "Take it or leave it" approach, where the Americans say that the visa sections must be housed in the same building. For the past few years, the visa section of the United States has been housed on Oxford Road whereas the Embassy is in New Kingston.

I also cannot accept that this is 'the only place' in Kingston found suitable for the United States convenience as the United States has other options, including the Twin Towers of Mutual Life Building now largely unoccupied and partly used by the United States Embassy at present. Is there not more space on the Twin Towers than the Crowne Plaza? And further, what about the lands at Liguanea including Bamboo Avenue, and the large lands surrounding at present owned by the United States? Is not a large part of this used as a warehouse? Are there not plans existing proposing the use of these premises for the United States expansion. Were not these completed before they heard of a (cheap sale) for Crowne Plaza?

I am like every other citizen hopeful to see that the Jamaican Government gets rid of the property on its hands. The Minister states that its offer by the United States Government is the best received and that to retain the hotel would be a continuous loss I would like to be satisfied by the actual figure given when:-

It was bought by FINSAC for $1.00;

The occupancy rate is now given at 65 per cent;

What is the Government valuation of this property?

What is the United States offer?

Business aside, since the Government has asked the public for their opinion, and since the public opinion is unanimous that we wholeheartedly reject the whole idea, should the Government go ahead and complete the deal, it would naturally invite the criticism that the whole meeting was a useless sham. I do not believe a man of Minister Seymour's integrity would invite such a justified denunciation.

It is my opinion that if this proposed deal flew in the face of foreseeable disaster, it could find the relationship between the Jamaicans and the Americans turning sour, as the hundreds of residents in the area and the even greater numbers suffering from traffic congestion and other discomforts would then look most unkindly on the American neighbours especially those living there.

Hostile situation

Please Mr. Minister do not invite them into a foreseeable hostile situation, in the future. Some other concerns have been expressed that "terrorist bombing activities" of American overseas embassies have added to the risks to hereto peaceful residential area. Perhaps it would be advisable to the United States Government to build their own premises in another area.

When on the first instance permission was given to build a hotel there, the residents opposed the idea at great expense themselves; nevertheless, the citizens voices were not listened to. Since the various attempts to use this building have all failed if at the time it was being built the citizens had been told of the present proposal they would have had even stronger objection. The fact is the Government has a lemon on their hands and the proposal is to squeeze it on the people. Now we see the results of not listening to the people in the first instance. Now we know.

I would like a reply to this letter as well as comments from others. This is not a time to keep silent, not to make yourself heard and then afterwards grumble against the Government. Stand up to be counted. I am writing on behalf of all those people who want to preserve their households and their community. Let us not add another slum to the increasing squalor around us.

I kindly ask the United States Government to withdraw its offer.

To our Government, I say stop it before it starts.

I am etc.,

DUDLEY J. THOMPSON

O.J., Q.C.

44 Portview Road

Kingston 8

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