The new sidewalk and bike path are well under way...

[Rob]

"The NWA CEO highlighted the fact that after the completion of the first 4KM, a long term partnership will be entered into between the TEF and NWA for the further expansion of the sidewalk and collateral works, as well as sidewalks in the west end to carry the project through to its logical conclusion."

http://www.westernmirror.com/index.p...929.html&print

This is from December 2012 announcement for the traffic lights (that are done), medians (that are done) and sidewalks on the beach road (that are being done) - which mentions the logical conclusion of sidewalks on the West End as well.

This is an educated guess, but since everything is being accomplished on time or earlier - I would assume that before next year (December 2013 - at the "official announcement" of the completion of the beach road projects) we should be hearing something about the time frame for sidewalks on the West End.

[Rob]

lol

[Kevin, PA]

I just can't comprehend how they will have the room on the west end to put in sidewalks unless they move walls and buildings????

[68Stang]

Trying to understand which side of the road the sidewalk is on..Is it on the beach side of the road or the other side? This will be a great improvement!

[Muck]

Trying to understand which side of the road the sidewalk is on..Is it on the beach side of the road or the other side? This will be a great improvement!

The article said "Morass" side, so not on the same side as the beach.

[Rob]

If you look at the picture I posted, it is facing the roundabout, starting from about the bridge over the South Negril River - so yes, it is on the morass side of the road.

[Rob]

I just can't comprehend how they will have the room on the west end to put in sidewalks unless they move walls and buildings????

Kevin,

That will be the case just as it is on the beach road sidewalk. They are using the universal concept of eminent domain, which is the power of the government to seize private property without the owner's consent. Historically, the most common uses of property taken by eminent domain are public facilities, highways, and railroads, and the owner is usually compensated with a fare market value price.

[MikeyNYC]

I can't help feeling bad about all the small businesses, huts and shacks that will be turned upside-down because some tourists want to ride a bike. No more Kyng Sharlo, no more Sexy Rexy?

[Rob]

I can't help feeling bad about all the small businesses, huts and shacks that will be turned upside-down because some tourists want to ride a bike. No more Kyng Sharlo, no more Sexy Rexy?

Rexy's cliffside shop has been closed for some time now. The owners of the land he was using are building a restaurant for their resort there. Rexy still has his large place across the road.

To finish the quote from Dr. McNeil earlier - "These plans, he continued, in essence call for the putting in of physical infrastructure, namely sidewalks with jogging and cycle tracks adequately lit and landscaped which would in turn encourage tourists to use and enjoy. As a result he reasoned, the value of properties along the same strip of sidewalk would increase dramatically as it would be well used by visitors."

The increased traffic from the sidewalk usage will actually encourage more walk in business for any business located along it. The small shack places will probably be hurt the least, as it is rather easy to move a shack back 15 feet to accommodate the new sidewalks.

For the smaller businesses - this may be the very best thing that ever happened to their business. A well lit sidewalk will encourage more business not just during the day but even into the evening hours.

[MikeyNYC]

Rexy's cliffside shop has been closed for some time now. The owners of the land he was using are building a restaurant for their resort there. Rexy still has his large place across the road.

To finish the quote from Dr. McNeil earlier - "These plans, he continued, in essence call for the putting in of physical infrastructure, namely sidewalks with jogging and cycle tracks adequately lit and landscaped which would in turn encourage tourists to use and enjoy. As a result he reasoned, the value of properties along the same strip of sidewalk would increase dramatically as it would be well used by visitors."

The increased traffic from the sidewalk usage will actually encourage more walk in business for any business located along it. The small shack places will probably be hurt the least, as it is rather easy to move a shack back 15 feet to accommodate the new sidewalks.

For the smaller businesses - this may be the very best thing that ever happened to their business. A well lit sidewalk will encourage more business not just during the day but even into the evening hours.

That makes sense. Thanks for the positive light.
See you in November!