Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore on Monday said previous designs for the redevelopment at Merriman’s Mall will not be used as the City Council moves to modernise the space.
Mentore made the announcement during the first official statutory meeting of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. He said the current plan, submitted in 2025, is not adequate to support a modern market build.
“It cannot be some flimsy thing. We will be doing something that is state-of-the-art, that makes sense as a city that is growing,” he said.
The mayor also made it clear that no one will be allowed to return to the area in a stern warning that their items will be seized.
“When we are through with this particular area, nobody will be selling there, ever,” he said.
Once completed, the new market design will be sent for technical review before returning to the Council for consideration. Mentore acknowledged concerns about funding and said the council will need to formally write to Central Government, particularly the Local Government and Regional Development Minister to request support.
“I would suggest that we provide at least 50 per cent of those funds and the ministry provide the other 50 per cent,” he said.
The City Council is seeking to create a space to relocate the vendors who operated outside Yhip’s Bakery in the Bourda Market area, Georgetown. The stalls of those vendors were last week dismantled, as a result of a longstanding issue and following a court order for them to vacate the area.
Mentore also briefed the council on the status of the court proceedings regarding the issue. The matter was expected to be heard at the High Court on Thursday last but according to Mentore, it will instead be heard on January 16.
Beyond vending by Yhip’s Bakery, Mentore raised concerns about unauthorised vending and congestion along Alexander and Robb Streets, and Orange Walk.
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