Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is reporting that the vendors, whose shops were destroyed in a fire on April 27 at the Craft Market have now been relocated to a new space within the complex.
UDC in a release said structural damage caused by the fire at the Craft market has been estimated at JMD$12.8 million.
UDC said the renovation cost is still to be determined as the Corporation will be carrying out some upgrading of the space for which the design work is currently being done.
Meanwhile the Jamaica Fire Brigade has not been able to conclusively determine the source of the fire at the facility however; the smoke detection capabilities have been augmented by the installation of a fire alarm and detection system at the Craft Market.
The Corporation is also finalizing other emergency response systems at the facility.
The UDC which had a number of meetings with the vendors had organized a business counselling session which saw input from partners in the recovery process including the Tourism Product Development Company’s (TPDCo) and other the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), the Social Development Commission (SDC).
The Festival Marketplace complex which includes the Food Bazaar and the Kingston Craft Market forms a part of the development of the Kingston Waterfront for which the UDC has responsibility.
It is a waterfront extension of the Market and Commercial Districts to the north, as well as the terminal point of the east-west pedestrian arcade and promenade.
The UDC in 2015 completed the Food Bazaar aspect comprising vending kiosks and recreational seating. The complex is fitted with a parking lot that can double as a multipurpose outdoor recreational or entertainment space.
