Hip Strip to be redesigned with new look

The Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay, popularly called the Hip Strip, will get a new makeover that will see the asphalted streets being replaced with cobbled stones, and trees planted to cocoon pedestrians walking along the street.

The concept of what the popular tourist strip is meant to evolve into is captured in images published with a tender document seeking experts to redesign the thoroughfare along the row that is populated by hotels, restaurants and shops, and hosts the famous Doctor’s Cave Beach.

The project, which has long been talked about, is being spearheaded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund.

The corridor for upgrade spans around 3.2 kilometres from Kent Avenue to Jimmy Cliff Boulevard. The objective is to enhance the appearance of the strip, to provide a safe corridor, and to boost the income of the local economy, which includes the stores and bars on the strip.

The timeline for producing final architectural designs is 12 months after the contract award. There was no explicit date for the completion of the actual works in the tender document.

“It is envisaged that the improvement to the Hip Strip will [raise] the quality of the experience for all users and provide a source of community and economic improvement in the Montego Bay resort area,” stated the tender seeking the services of both a quantity surveyor and architect for the project.

The Hip Strip is popular among tourists and locals. But like the vicissitudes of the tourism industry, its popularity rises and falls. The strip fell out of fashion in the early 2000s due to the closure of hotels. However, in recent years, travellers have returned due to the infusion of new hotels, including the S Hotel and Decameron, and the addition of Starbucks café and herb houses have created new opportunities for leisure.

“The strip must become world-class once again,” said Ian Dear, in response to the Financial Gleaner.

Dear operates Starbucks and Margaritaville at different points on the strip. He is also a board member of TEF.

“I absolutely support and agree [with the upgrade]. To be clear though, I am one of the architects of the plan, as I am a board member of TEF and sit on the committee for the strip’s redevelopment,” he disclosed.

The proposed development dates back to 2009 and falls within the Comprehensive Resort Upgrade Management Plan.

Bids are due by March 26.

steven.jackson@gleanerjm.com