UDC to enter joint venture in Caymanas housing development

The Urban Development Corporation, UDC, is recruiting a joint venture partner to develop 132 acres or 53 hectares of land that forms part of the Caymanas Estates Development Area, also known as CEDA, into housing.

The CEDA is divided into seven blocks, six of which are slated for “high-end” mixed-use residential development.

“The development can yield over 1,200 housing solutions within Blocks 2, 3, and 7,” said the UDC, a state agency, in a notice seeking expressions of interest from private partners.

“It is anticipated that the developments will comprise a mix of unit types,” it said.

The CEDA is located west of the city of Kingston, east of Spanish Town, and north of the Portmore Town Centre. It was designated for development in 2009 under the UDC Act.

Subsequent to the development of the master plan, the UDC entered into a joint venture with New Era Homes Limited for the development of the Caymanas Country Club Estates, which included 684 single-family housing units.

The UDC wants over 50 per cent of the CEDA to remain as wetlands and forestry, with 46 per cent being considered for development.

The proposal now under consideration will see the UDC resuming its efforts to develop the CEDA by creating commercial, light industrial, residential, and institutional investment opportunities via seven development blocks.

“These developments will be phased with Blocks 1, 2, 3, and 7 being targeted for development in the short term. The development will further see the expansion and upgrading of the water supply for current and future residents as well as improved road networks and electricity supply,” the UDC explained.

Block 1 is designated for development as commercial property.

steven.jackson@gleanerjm.com