Almost half of Kitty Market rehab works completed
-engineer
The rehabilitation of the Kitty Market is on track and to date 48% of the work is completed, according to Site Engineer Murwin Allison.
Allison on Friday explained that the works were expected to be completed 90 days after they had commenced but work had to be done with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on the “specifics of what they wanted.”
“When we collected the draft work plan from the M&CC, it did not entail the specifics and that set us back a bit. We had to engage in the consultations with the Assistant Engineer because there were amendments to the original plan. The contractor was able to get that and now we are on track,” Allison said.
The Ministry of Communities took over the rehabilitation works at the Kitty Market after a cash-strapped City Hall was unable to complete the project, which it started in 2016.
At the end of January, a $25 million contract was inked between the Ministry of Communities and BML Architects and Engineers Consultancy and Construction Services to complete the first phase of works.
Allison explained that works resumed in February and they have since been able to complete the external walls, ground floor, partitioning of internal and external stalls and two external sanitary blocks.
At present, works are being done on the upper flat of the building for the accommodation of a rates office and a municipal clinic.
Allison added that they also need to complete the installation of electrical fixtures throughout the building but he noted that it would only be done when construction is completed.
Further, he pointed out that works are yet to begin on the meat section of the market. Construction for that section will be done under a separate contract.
The entire project caters for over 100 stalls, including fresh fruits and vegetables, a fish/meat section and clothing and grocery vending.
The sizes of the stalls vary, with the largest measuring 12 by eight feet.
Vendors have related to this newspaper that they will be ready to move into the market whenever it is reopened. One vendor explained that he has somewhat given up hope on the completion of the market as they were given many dates for completion, which continues to be delayed.
“We have been out here for two years and we hear the market would be finish this date and that date. We don’t know if they would complete it this year because they haven’t started works on the meat section as yet…,” a vendor said.
Vendors were forced to move in April, 2016, in order to facilitate the rehabilitation.
Town Clerk Royston King had announced that the city is seeking to construct a modern market. The M&CC had estimated that the project would be executed at a cost of $240 million.