St. Thomas enters new era with $6-billion Morant Bay Urban Centre opening

A new chapter has begun for the parish of St. Thomas, long labelled as “forgotten,” with the official opening of the $6-billion Morant Bay Urban Centre, described as a landmark achievement in the government’s effort to decentralise development across Jamaica.

On Thursday, May 15, Prime Minister Andrew Holness cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the occasion, addressing a massive crowd of residents, dignitaries, and government officials. “St. Thomas, I did not forget you,” he declared. “Today, we definitively close the chapter of decades of underdevelopment.”

The Morant Bay Urban Centre, built on the grounds of the former Goodyear Factory, spans approximately 436,000 square feet and is Jamaica’s first integrated commercial hub combining public and private services. The project was spearheaded by the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) in partnership with the China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) and the National Commercial Bank.

With its range of government services—including a new court facility, the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation, and a HEART/NSTA Trust location—alongside private-sector tenants like KFC, Juici Patties, Express Fitness, Ribbiz Ultra Lounge, and the parish’s first university, the Urban Centre is poised to transform Morant Bay into a modern, economic nucleus.

“This is more than infrastructure; this is impact,” said Dr. Michelle Charles, Member of Parliament for St. Thomas Eastern. Former MP Dr. Fenton Ferguson was also present, highlighting the bipartisan support for the long-anticipated project.

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Dr. Holness acknowledged the long road to Thursday’s ceremony—from the project’s inception in 2017, to its groundbreaking in 2019, and now to completion. Tenants have been given a three-month rent-free period to outfit their units while final landscaping and roadworks are completed by CHEC.

The Prime Minister also announced that a multipurpose entertainment and sports complex will be developed on nearby land. “We’re going to develop that land into a multipurpose entertainment and sports facility that is going to be the envy of other parishes,” he said, promising to attend the first event held there.

Future plans include phase two of the project, which will add two more blocks—one dedicated to medical services—and a 10-acre extension for micro and small businesses.

Chairman of the FCJ, Lyttleton Shirley, described the project as a “true manifestation” of Prime Minister Holness’ vision. “We are not merely cutting a ribbon. We are carving a path for the future of the people of St. Thomas,” he said.