Gregory Park community ravaged by 2023 attack to get new housing units

 

Scores of residents who were left homeless when arsonists went on a violent rampage two years ago along Walkers Avenue in Gregory Park, St. Catherine are set to receive 10 housing units following the groundbreaking of the Serenity Grove development in the community. 

 

The fiery attack resulted in the death of two people and the destruction of several homes in the August 12, 2023 incident. Forty-seven people, including 27 children, were displaced during the attack. 

 

Two men were charged in relation to the incident. 

 

At Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness said the government has done all the legal work to ensure construction can begin without disruption. 

 

"The government could have very well invested $105 million here to build 10 units and somebody could come and produce a title with their lawyer and go to court and say the government violated my property rights, take over the land that I own, see the title here. And we are satisfied that we are on firm ground in being able to build on this piece of property without contest. There are 38 inhabitants, 38 persons who will benefit from this in 10 households - four two bedroom units, six three bedroom units," he disclosed. 

 

Meanwhile, Alando Terrelonge, Member of Parliament for St. Catherine East Central, said the government has continued to invest heavily in the safety and security of Gregory Park.

 

"We ensured that the police station, a police post, was posted right here inside Gregory Park. The Gregory Park of 2023 is not the Gregory Park of 2025. With this government investing three times more than any other government in the security for our children, for our families, Gregory Park has not recorded one murder all year. This is the safest Gregory Park has been in 30 years," the MP asserted.