Kitty Market rehabilitation commences

Feb 18, 2016 News

Rehabilitation works to the Kitty Market have commenced. Sections of the market, once described as a fire hazard by residents are currently being torn down. The 19th century structure suffered massive deterioration over the years.

Rehabilitation commences at Kitty Market.

Vendors operating in the area had lodged numerous complaints with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC). But despite promises to the vendors, the rehabilitation never became a reality. The Council had contended that its financial situation prevented it from delivering on their promise.
However the long-awaited repairs have begun. The work is to be continued for the next three to five months. The Council embarked on a $240 million restoration exercise on February 12 last. Kaieteur News understands that the work is being supervised by the City Engineer’s Department of the M&CC.
The repairs will be done in phases to accommodate the relocation of some of the vendors. Both residents and vendors of Kitty have expressed relief that the Market which was once known as a landmark in the neighbourhood is being restored to its original state.
The Kitty Market was established in 1882, two years after the Bourda Market came into being. Kitty Market began at the railway line near the abattoir. There, vendors plied their goods from sunrise until sunset. Over time, the initial site extended until 1970 when it was taken over by the City Council.
Like the Bourda Market, Kitty Market is timber-framed. It was meant to serve Georgetown’s Atlantic Coast neighbourhoods in the city’s east end. That end also contained Campbellville, Bel Air and Prashad Nagar.