$230-m NHT car park officially opens today
THE National Housing Trust’s (NHT) multi-storey car park, constructed on lands beside the agency’s head office on Park Boulevard in New Kingston, will be officially opened to the public today.
The car park got its first test last Friday, as several people paying their mortgages and conducting other business at the agency were directed to the covered facility.
A representative from NHT said customers were permitted to use the parking facility on Friday “to make sure there are no glitches” today.
And effective today, the open area called the Bowl [adjacent to the new car park] will be closed to the public, the NHT said. The NHT had leased the Bowl so that its contributors and staff could enjoy hassle-free parking until the new facility was completed.
The new multi-coloured car park can hold 347 vehicles – up from the original 330 that was proposed – and will be open to users of Emancipation Park as well as clients of NHT.
While NHT customers will be allowed free parking, people visiting the neighbouring Emancipation Park will have to pay a fee.
Rates start at $80 for parking up to an hour, $150 for up to two hours and a daily rate of $300. Users of Emancipation Park between 6:00 am to 8:00 am will be charged a reduced rate, an NHT spokesperson said, adding that the facility was not a public car park.
Donald Moore, general manager, construction and development, said the NHT would bear the operational cost for clients of the NHT.
“During business hours staff and customers will occupy the park for the most part, however, parking is provided at a fee to all other users. If there is an event in the area, individuals will also be able to park for a fee,” Moore said.
Meanwhile, NHT clients on Friday expressed gratitude for the more convenient and secure parking that the new building provided.
Construction started on the multi-storey car park in 2003, with initial contractors Cooper and Associates. However, the NHT took over construction in February of this year.
According to Michael Taylor, NHT acting general manager, construction and development, the $230-million project was completed within budget and on schedule. At the same time, he told the Observer that the final and accurate construction cost could not be determined until the final accounts were completed. “Contractually this is to be done within three months of practical completion,” Taylor said. He added that “practical completion” was on September 12.
In addition, an NHT representative told the Observer that all of the conditions stipulated by the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) had been met.
When the KSAC approved the multi-storey car park three years ago, it was on condition that the undeveloped land near the facility be landscaped.
This was done, Taylor said, even though the land is owned by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC).
The KSAC had also recommended that parking stalls be provided for the physically challenged, a condition which was also met.
“We have made special arrangements for the physically challenged,” the representative said.
The design for the five-level facility, including a basement and roof parking, was done by the architectural firm, Doug Wright and Associates.