Market in downtown Kingston getting a facelift

WORK IS now in full swing at the Redemption Market in downtown Kingston.

Last week, workmen were seen attacking sections of the market, which have been cleared of vendors for the multimillion-dollar facelift.

The vendors have been relocated to nearby Matthew's Lane with the projection being that they should be back in the facility by December.

The Digicel Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have teamed up with the Urban Development Corporation and the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation to renovate the market.

The West Queen Street structure will give more than 120 vendors a pristine place to sell their wares.

Lisa Lewis, chairperson of the Digicel Foundation, said the refurbishing of the market is part of the company's push to see downtown Kingston "reclaim its status as the primary hub here in the capital".

The USAID has provided a $500,000 grant. Mission Director Denise Herbol said there is much potential for the growth of businesses in downtown Kingston, noting that her organisation is committed to assisting.

"We believe the transformation will create economic opportunities for the vendors, as well as other service providers, within the combined market district," said Herbol.

According to Herbol, the project's success should encourage other partnerships among businesses to continue the revitalisation of downtown Kingston.