Work on the Kitty Market has been placed on hold once again, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green said at yesterday’s statutory meeting.
Chase-Green cited the lack of financial resources as the reason behind the temporary suspension of work on the market.
She went on to say that she would not give a deadline for the completion of the market, since work would only resume when revenue is generated.
Since the commencement of work in February 2016, Stabroek News understands, 70 per cent has been completed but limited finances continue to delay completion. The rehabilitation is being funded with money from the city’s coffers.
Town Clerk Royston King had said the plan was to complete the work in phases and had given a five months’ time span for completion initially.
According to City Engineer Rasheed Kellman, the 70 per cent of work completed is from phase one of the project; work has not commenced on phase two.
The remaining 30 per cent of phase one includes installation of electrics and air conditioning units among other things.
Kellman explained that they have been able to complete painting of the upper flat of the building, replacing boards on the wooden section of the structure and enclosed the bottom flat of the building with concrete partitions and walls. Phase two of the project includes the erection of a structure on the southern side of the market.
It is estimated that to date approximately $90 million have been expended on the building. A sum of $240 million was the total restoration estimate.
The upper flat of the market has been remodelled to accommodate a rates office and a municipal clinic. The city administration is also planning to decentralize other services to serve constituents in that area.
The initial plan was to air condition the entire flat, but owing to financial constraints, the administration decided to restrict air conditioning to the meat and fish section. The remodelled design of the market aims to compete with supermarkets, King had stated.
Vendors due to take up stalls in the market had expressed concerns over poor ventilation. However, King said an adequate ventilation system would be put in place.
