PORTLAND, Jamaica – The Buff Bay market in Portland will accommodate two times as many vendors when its renovation is completed, according to the parish council.

“It can incorporate about 48 vendors… we have increased the capacity by 100 per cent,” Raymond Grant, superintendent of works at the Portland Municipal Corporation, said during a visit to the facility on Wednesday.

Grant said the renovated Buff Bay market is designed to be energy efficient, it will have 2,000 gallons of water storage capacity, the entrance to the facility will be repaved and there will also be “proper signage”.

“What you’re seeing here is a replica of what we hope other parishes can utilize across the country,” Grant said. “All in all we are looking at a market that is not only unique in terms of the concept … It is something that everybody can use in terms of a space and enjoy the facility.”

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie says renovation of the Buff Bay market will be completed in June at a cost of $45 million. He had previously said he was eyeing the Independence period as a timeline for the completion and reopening of the market which had been in a state of disrepair for an extended period.

With regards to the Musgrave market in Portland, which is also due to be renovated, the minister said: “The designs are almost completed. Once the design is completed, we will then be putting out tender for the construction of the Musgrave market.

“I don’t want to speak much about it, but I am prepared to say that when we conclude the repairs, the reconstruction of the Musgrave market in Port Antonio, it will probably be the A1 market.”

– Everard Owen