Downtown Kingston’s Revival Starts with male/female "PEE WEE" units

Contributed

Michael Spence

How can we revive downtown Kingston without basic infrastructure like public restrooms? 

Every business should have adequate bathroom facilities. Licenses must not be renewed by the KSAMC without them. Establishments that fail to comply should be closed. Credit to Mother’s, Kentucky, and Burger King for providing facilities.

The KSAMC must install portable male and female restrooms, "PEE WEE" units, around North, South, East, and West Parade. Use corners where public urination occurs as indicators. A mobile “Pee Wee” unit should service Barry, Orange, and Princess Streets to end this unhealthy situation. 

Parking policy also hurts revival. Higglers block spaces with barrels, yet KSAMC tow trucks remove cars, not barrels or stalls. Barry Street, once clear, is now congested. Charging shoppers high parking fees will drive more people away. Many have already abandoned downtown.

Transport is failing too. Last JUTC buses to Papine, August Town, Harbour View, Port Royal, and Spanish Town leave at 7:59 pm. Shops close at 8:30 pm. Higglers sell until 10:00 pm. Last buses should move no earlier than 10:00 pm.

After 10:00 pm, only the police checking papers by the Ward Theatre remain. Does the KSAMC Mayor ever visit downtown after 9:30 pm?

Revival needs sanitation, transport, and common sense. 

Michael Spence

Micspen2@hotmail.com

Michael Spence is a teacher and a sociologist. He has a significant number of ideas for improving the lives of Jamaicans.