An Era comes to an end. Constant Spring Market gutted.
Kingston, Jamaica:
The Constant Spring Road Market was gutted today after much long debate.
According to the Jamaica Information Service ( JIS News), the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) entered into negotiations with the National Land Agency (NLA) for the sale of the Constant Spring Market to facilitate the expansion of the Constant Spring Road corridor.
The Market had been around for more than sixty years. It had over seventy vendors, all of which were given notices to vacate the premises. The vendors were not happy with the government decision to demolish the market. They asked the court to intervene and many demonstrated the decision. Many were adamant they would not leave until proper accommodation was given to them
The government argue however, that the space is needed to transform the thoroughfare.
In opening the debate on the resolution, Councillor of the Norbrook Division, Susan Senior, argued that expansion of the roadway will lead to a reduction in travel time for motorists.
She said that motorists spend as many as three hours in traffic on a daily basis, and this is “time that could be spent with loved ones and time that could be utilised in the offices” ~JIS NEWS
Vendors demonstrating outside the market
Many of the vendors argue the government is against “poor people”. They explained this location is their only mode of income and moving them will cause financial distress.
Councillor for the Greenwich Town Division, Karl Blake, noted that while the sale of the market will displace some people, “we seize this opportunity to have a proper dialogue with them and let them be a part of the development”.
A resolution giving effect to this was approved by the Corporation at its meeting held in the Council Chamber located on Church Street in downtown Kingston on December 12. The KSAMC has commissioned and received the requisite valuations from the NLA and also from a private, duly registered valuator. The private valuation puts the value of the market at $270 million while the public valuation is $186 million. ~JIS NEWS
Constant Spring Market before the demolition
The vendors on two occasions got the court to issue injunctions against the government. They had over a year to find a place to relocate and the government allocated temporary accommodations. Nevertheless, the vendors were left angry and said they felt bullied by the government.
The Government will spend approximately $2.4 billion (US$19 million) under the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP) to widen and improve Constant Spring Road in St. Andrew.
Outside Constant Spring Market before the demolitionhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/hBWv-7Vj4d0?feature=oembedJamaicaNewsNetwork Published on Aug 21, 2018