Regarding the town's heritage tourism potential, Everton Fisher (Black River mayor/chairman of Parish Council) and Mordant Mitchell (Councillor Black River Division) called for the Jamaica National Heritage Trust and other stakeholders to come together to develop a plan.

Black River is one of Jamaica's oldest towns, with stately old buildings, some of which are said to date back more than 200 years and many of which are protected by the heritage trust. However, locals say some buildings are deteriorating rapidly and pose a potential fire hazard.

Long part of a South Coast Development Plan, the Black River Boardwalk has also been strongly advocated...as a means of building Black River's fledgling tourism industry which is largely centred on boat rides up the river after which the town is named.

There was seeming consensus that a long talked-about boardwalk aimed at improving aesthetics and usage of the Black River coastline will have to go to the back burner, with priority being placed on upgrading the arcade surrounding the market at the centre of town.

With the hurricane season just around the corner, seashore erosion, which is threatening to undermine High Street in this coastal town, was the centre of immediate and emergency attention.

Read More @ Observer Link:
www.jamaicaobserver.com/regional/Whither-Black-River-_14298769