Latest update March 13th, 2026 12:35 AM
City Council advances plans for Merrimans Mall to house displaced Bourda vendors
(Kaieteur News) – Discussions continue between the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and engineers as preparations get underway for the construction of Merriman’s Mall, to be located between Orange Walk and Cummings Street.
The proposed facility is expected to accommodate approximately 70 vendors operating in and around the Bourda Market.
The initiative follows the recent displacement of about 15 vendors who were operating in front of Yhip’s bakery at the corner of Robb and Alexander Streets. Their stalls were dismantled following a high court order, leaving several vendors distressed and in need of alternative vending space.
Mayor of city council, Alfred Mentore
While an exact timeline for the completion of the new shed has not yet been determined, City Mayor Alfred Mentore said groundwork is ongoing to finalise plans for the project. He explained that the council initially expected to receive the drawings, plans, and quantity estimates earlier this week, but these were delayed. Engineers were scheduled to meet to review the outstanding matters, including quantities and design specifications. “We will discuss those matters and also discuss the quantities and where we are at in relation to that,” Mentore said.
According to the mayor, upcoming discussions will focus on the project’s modalities, including the overall structure of the shed, the sanitary facilities, the number of tables, parking arrangements, and the general design of the area.
Regarding project cost, Mentore said no estimate is available at this stage. However, he noted that financial discussions are expected to take place next week, after which the matter will be taken to the council’s finance committee. He added that the council is hoping to cover 50 per cent of the cost, with the remaining half to be supported by central government. “After the meeting, we will bring that matter forth to the finance committee, sometime next week and then we will be able to finalise that process of how we will be able to move forward with it from a cost standpoint, what we will be bring to it as a council, what we may be able to tap the central government to provide,” he said.
Mentore added, “This project itself has a municipal flavour as well as a national flavour where we will be dealing with matters to reduce street vending and to have them placed in a most organised fashion.”
He further emphasised that the project will be treated as an emergency matter once the engineers submit their recommendations. Upon receipt, the town clerk will be mandated to take the issue before the finance committee for swift deliberation, after which the council will invite bids from three contractors to advance the project without delay. “The whole idea behind this here is that the moment we get this thing, this is not a delay issue, “he said.
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