“The opening of the Grand-A-View Restaurant and Events Place in Montego Bay represents the start of something new for this Queen’s Drive, known as Top Road”.
That’s the view of Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Homer Davis as he addressed a ceremony held on Saturday March 9 to officially open the facility.
In endorsing the facility on behalf of the St. James Municipal He said “Grand-A-View will bring new life to Queen’s Drive which is popularly called “Top Road”. I know that a number of passers-by have been drawing their own conclusion on what was being built here…some said it was a Chinese Restaurant among others. We are fully aware of the entertainment events which are calendar items here in Montego Bay…Reggae Sumfest, Crab Fest, Jerk Fest…just to name a few. However all those events are outdoors and the opening of this wonderful Grad-A-View facility brings to the fore another great venue option for events promoters…This is indoors, spacious, has a grad view of the city and it is in reach of everyone.”
Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis (centre) and former Water Minister, Dr. Karl Blythe (right) listen keenly to a point being made by Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett at the opening of the Grand-A-View Restaurant and Events lace on Saturday March 09, 2019. Mayor Davis who spoke at the ceremony said Grand-A-View brings new energy to Queen’s Drive, popularly called “Top Road”.
In congratulating the owner of the facility, Carl Erskine for his multi-million dollar investment, Mayor Davis said Montego Bay, as a city is in the perfect position to gain significantly from the entertainment industry which contributed well over $71-billion to the Jamaican economy between 2012 and 2016.
“I must openly congratulate Mr. Carl Erskine, a native Montegonian for investing in his city and making a solid contribution to the growth of this resort town. Today, entertainment events are big and contributed some $71 billion to the Jamaican economy between 2012 and 2016. Not only are we seeing great financial benefits from this industry, but the industry has created sustainable jobs for almost 2-million Jamaicans over the same period, in various positions”.
He added that Grand-A-View provides a wonderful family entertainment space to Montego Bay which compliments major developments which have been taking place along Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, formerly Gloucester Avenue of “Bottom Road”.
“Montego Bay remains the fastest developing city in the Caribbean and with major developments set to come on stream in very short order, the addition of this facility to our Township, has added new life to what is popularly called “Top Road”, complimenting what is already here. The Hip Strip, which has been renamed Jimmy Cliff Boulevard has been experiencing its share of development and I am extremely happy that some of the action and focus are moving to this Queen’s Drive…Top Road area”, Mayor Davis stated.
He said the St. James Municipal Corporation will continue to undertake projects which are aimed at the continued development of the city of Montego Bay and the parish of St. James.
“The current administration of the St. James Municipal Corporation which is just over two years old is determined to retake full control of our public spaces and give free access to our law abiding citizens to go about their business. The Closed Harbour project at “Dump Up Beach” will start soon and will provide our city with leisure spaces…The Mayor’s Advisory Committee is up and running and so far the response has been great…Grid lines have been installed at major intersections help the Police to control the flow of traffic…We are on a major side walk improvement project… We are well down the wicket in our road patching programme… Your Municipal Corporation has made representations for well over 300-million dollars for the overlaying of the major thoroughfares across the city…Barnett Street, St. James Street, Harbour Street, Church Street, Market Street, Union Street among others. These streets have not received any serious attention in the last 30 years and we are determined to change the face of the roads in our city”, Mayor Davis added.
He said he is also seeking the continued partnership of stakeholders with the St. James Municipal Corporation in moving forward the agenda of Montego Bay and St. James.