Brown’s Town Market to be refurbished

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, has announced that the Brown’s Town market, in St. Ann,  which was extensively damaged in a massive fire some months ago, will be refurbished at a cost of  $14 million.

Speaking to JIS News after a tour of the facility  on January 25, the Minister said the priority is to  get vendors back in the market within months.

“I have been mandated by the Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller to get  first  hand knowledge of the present situation at the facility, after a serious fire some time ago,  with the main objective of doing some repairs speedily to get the vendors back in a more comfortable environment to do business,” the Minister said.

“I have had discussions with the Parish Council and have mandated them to look at a better design. Whereas we are going to move speedily to get the roof back on, the Council has been given a directive, in terms of getting the Resolution to me for the Ministry to approve an additional $2 million to complement the funds that are in hand at the Council from the insurance, and also from the previous Community Development Fund (CDF),” he added.

He  pointed out that with  all the expected redesigning and general face-lift, the facility should be up and running within six months.

Mayor of  St. Ann’s Bay, Her Worship Vinette Robb-Oddman,  said she was pleased that the new Minister had toured the  damaged facility and  that it would be refurbished.

She noted that some 65 vendors were affected as a result of the fire, and that most had received assistance.

Accompanying Mr. Arscott on the tour was Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Colin Fagan.

By Glenis Rose, JIS Reporter