StJMC, UDC to redevelop fire-damaged shoe arcade
Published:Monday | April 21, 2025 | 12:10 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC), in partnership with the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), is set to transform the Montego Bay Shoe Arcade, commonly known as the Old Shoe Market, into a state-of-the-art shopping complex.
Richard Vernon, chairman of the StJMC, has identified this initiative as a key project for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. He expressed hopes that the micro-business operators currently utilising the space will embrace the updated design, allowing for approval and the commencement of construction.
“We are going to do this in partnership with the Urban Development Corporation,” Vernon stated, referring to the transformation of the Montego Bay Shoe Arcade, located at St James and South streets. He emphasised that this project is a priority for his Jamaica Labour Party-led municipal corporation.
“We are scheduled to meet soon to review a proposed design submitted by the UDC. Following this, we will consult with the business operators in the space to gather their feedback and ensure we find a middle ground. Once that is achieved, we will proceed with the project,” he added.
The initiative follows a series of fires that have devastated the Old Shoe Market in recent years. In October 2023, a fire gutted 54 shops, with the Jamaica Fire Brigade reporting that the blaze quickly spread through businesses selling clothing and other merchandise.
Nearly a year later, on September 4, another fire erupted in the early morning, damaging three shops and resulting in losses amounting to millions of dollars.
Investigations revealed that the facility had suffered from multiple operational breaches, including electrical hazards, contributing to the recurring fires.
With this redevelopment plan, the StJMC and UDC aim to create a safer, more modern commercial space while preserving the local business community.