MONTEGO BAY—A proposed Business Improvement District (BID) for Jimmy Cliff Boulevard has cleared its first major hurdle, with roughly 83 percent of merchants along the tourist corridor signalling formal support. Mayor Richard Vernon says the endorsement paves the way for a public-private partnership designed to reposition the strip—once branded the Hip Strip—as a premier attraction and growth engine for western Jamaica.
Blended financing model
City Hall expects redevelopment costs to be underwritten by a mix of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the St James Municipal Corporation (SJMC), the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), and direct private-sector contributions. Precise budget figures remain under review. “We’re crafting a plan that mirrors the district’s real needs and its capacity to pay,” Vernon told Real Estate on the Rock, noting that firmer numbers will emerge as designs mature.
Why a BID—and why now
From legacy venues such as The Pelican Grill and Doctor’s Cave Beach to newer arrivals Starbucks and S Hotel, Jimmy Cliff Boulevard packs a dense mix of hospitality, retail, and entertainment outlets. Yet worn sidewalks, dated facades, and uneven streetscapes have blunted its appeal in recent years. A formal BID would pool levies and voluntary assessments from property owners, funding upgrades that individual businesses could not afford alone—new lighting, sidewalk repairs, streetside greening, and enhanced security among them.
Governance structure
Under the draft framework, a private-sector-led steering committee will chair the BID, with representatives from the SJMC, TEF, and other agencies holding advisory seats. A separate Montego Bay Urban Renewal Committee (MBURC) is slated for launch in the 2025/26 fiscal year to oversee broader downtown regeneration, starting with Sam Sharpe Square. City officials say that square will anchor a wider walkable district linking civic landmarks, craft markets, and transport hubs.
Legal groundwork
An attorney has been retained to produce regulations governing the BID’s formation and operations. After stakeholder consultations, the rules will be submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development for sign-off, ensuring compliance with the Local Governance Act.
Projected pay-offs
Vernon believes a cleaner, better-managed boulevard will lengthen visitor stays, boost footfall, and lift sales for the strip’s 40-plus establishments. “A well-kept environment turns casual traffic into repeat business,” he said. Officials also expect spill-over benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises clustered around Sam Sharpe Square once renewal work expands beyond the waterfront.
Next steps
City planners will finalize a concept design, cost schedules, and assessment formulas before returning to proprietors for a binding vote. Should the measure pass, collections and capital works could begin as early as 2026.
For now, Montego Bay’s business community appears ready to bet on collective action—and on a BID they hope will restore the boulevard’s reputation as the island’s liveliest mile.
