The first phase of the Castries Market Redevelopment Project was officially handed over to the Castries Constituency Council yesterday, Sunday 3rd May, in a ceremony that was streamed live on Facebook and other social media platforms.
It was a project that had several delays which extended completion date to almost a year, compared to the three months that was first given for its completion when Castries Mayor Peterson Francis told reporters in early April, 2019 that work would commence that very same month.
The EC$32 million project is said to be able to withstand wind speeds up to a category five hurricane. It includes a sheltered area, structurally designed to enable the free flow of provisions market vendors and other market users.
The new facility is outfitted with 100 stalls that will accommodate all provisions vendors. In addition, the existing comfort station was spruced-up and refurbished to contribute to the overall ambience.
Vendors utilizing the old Jeremie Street Fire Station site where they were temporarily placed, will be relocated to their new home in the coming days.
The next component of Phase 1 of the project will see the construction of a Container Box Park creating an avenue for micro enterprising cosmetic shops, cafés, pubs and eateries.
Thereafter, the remaining component of Phase one will include modifications to the entrance of the market adjacent to the Castries harbour, construction of a state-of-the-art food court, high-end air conditioned restaurants, a refurbished craft market, entertainment area and meat and fish depots.
Phase 2 will entail the construction of a viewing tower and duty-free shopping boutiques. (Full story in Saturday’s paper)
