Nassau The Bahamas – Public Works and Transport Minister the Hon. Neko C. Grant is “extremely” pleased with the progress of the construction of the new Bay Street Straw Market.
On December 15, 2009 a contract was awarded to Cavalier Construction in the amount of $11,294,468.86 for the construction of the new Straw Market on the old market site.
Mr. Grant along with senior officials including Colin Higgs, permanent secretary, John Canton, director and Livingston Forbes, chief architect made a site-inspection of the work on September 17.
The Straw Market is expected to be completed by August 2011. Sixty-five workers are presently employed on the project.
The new market will encompass 39,000 square feet and will include 454 regular vendors’ booths, 31 specialty booths and 14 wood carvers booths. It will also include an enclosed mezzanine level of approximately 4,500 square feet. The air-conditioned mezzanine will be serviced by an elevator (to the South section only) and there will be space to accommodate after-school activities for children.
The Straw Market contract has a 78-week completion timeline.
The old straw market was destroyed by fire in September 2001.
Kathryn Campbell
Bahamas Information Services
