Russian couple hopes to uplift central Kingston community

Russian natives Anna Korneeva and her husband Aleksei Sadovnivov have transformed an old, dilapidated space on Rum Lane in Rose Gardens, central Kingston, into a mini plaza which is already attracting attention.

The space once housed a broken-down board dwelling, and often went unnoticed by many because of its unattractiveness. But Korneeva told THE STAR that they wanted to be a part of the push for revitalising downtown Kingston and once they learnt about the space, she knew it was the ideal spot. She said the flare-ups of violence were not an issue, as their aim is to uplift and rebrand the space.

"We are from Moscow, so the violence didn't bother us. We didn't want to choose a standard place like Barbican or Liguanea, but [a] downtown area. We didn't want to do waterfront, where a lot of the investors were going, so we chose this spot to bring business and growth to the area. We wanted to be in the middle, close to Heroes Circle and other places. There are close to 20,000 persons living here and there are four high schools, so when we were doing the construction of the building, we used those persons living here to do it," she said.

According to Korneeva, they were more impressed when they realised that the property dated back to the 18th century and that the house was built the same year as the Giddy House in Port Royal.

"It was not in a good condition when we checked it. There was a board house that we demolished, and we had our engineers check the condition of the others parts, and a lot of work needed to be done. We spent a lot of money, but one of the things that we didn't destroy was the bricks, as they are bricks from the 18th century. So when persons come here, it will be like a museum," she said.

She said when she began building the 'Little White House', the nickname given to it by her neighbours, the residents were concerned about how the project may impact their lives.

"When I just came here, I didn't just start renovating. We walked around and met with members of the communities, as we wanted to know some of the issues they were having and how we could help. Some persons were telling us that we could come and invest, while some were a bit sceptical. But they are all supporting the project when they see what is it that we are doing. Everyone is welcoming. I told them that it was not just about me opening a mini plaza, but it was an investment in the entire community, and now we are seeing where others are grooming up their spaces as well," she said.

The mini plaza sits on 3,700 square feet of land and comprises 11 units with assigned water and electricity connections. Tenancy agreements have already been signed with 22 Jerk and Kremi. The rent is US$350 (approximately $54,000) per section, and Korneeva said they are hoping to attract other corporate offices.

"We want to bring tourists here and make it be a business central spot. So we are looking to have lawyer and doctor offices, juice bar, or if Digicel or Flow wants to open a small office here, then they are welcome," she said.

The Little White House has even motivated Rum Lane resident Andrew and his friends to construct One Rotation recording studio.

"Honestly, this building is a good look for the community, as it is already bringing a lot of Upper St Andrew people here. The jerk place is upstairs and at nights, the place come alive because there is white people, live bands, and everything just have a good vibes. We building our studio, which we going to open in a month or so, and we know it a go blast off. All of this just a motivate everyone to just try a bit harder and empower themselves," Andrew said.

"Anna a we 'G', man. All of us is like family here. Whole heap a people start come a central Kingston because of her building. People from the place get work and a just bare pretty girls a pass through," another man chimed in.