MANDEVILLE, Manchester — With the festive season fast approaching, vendors at Melrose Yam Park are hoping that the facility will be reopened soon after being shuttered by the Manchester Health Department.

The vendors said the closure of the facility has taken them by surprise. However, at last month’s local board of health meeting, medical officer of health for Manchester Dr Nadine Williams and Chief Public Health Inspector Charmaine Palmer-Cross had warned the Manchester Municipal Corporation that unresolved issues at the yam park, including making it pest-proof, needed to be addressed.

The facility was subsequently ordered closed on Monday, December 8.

Councillor Mario Mitchell (People’s National Party, Bellefield Division), who chaired the local board of health meeting, had asked the health department to extend the timeline to remedy the issues at the park.

Mitchell, who said he was called to the facility by the vendors on Tuesday, told the Jamaica Observer that he is hopeful that the issues will be addressed swiftly this time around in conjunction with Ideas Execution, the lessee of the yam park.

“We have agreed to see how best we can fix and solve some of the problems. The health department has mentioned some plumbing issues, some electrical issues. They have mentioned the way how the [vendors] deal with the yam after scraping [it] and the washing of the establishment itself,” said Mitchell.

The yam park, popularly known for roast yam and saltfish, is to undergo renovation led by Ideas Execution — a construction and renovation business — with the building of a jerk centre and car wash at the facility, and be renamed Melrose Village.

Patricia Powell, manager at Ideas Execution, said there has been constant dialogue with the health department.

“We have been here for over a year when they started to put a lot of pressure on us. We have been fixing plumbing issues, ventilation issues, bathroom issues, and the garbage house issue. As we fix it each time something is added on,” she said.

“Some of these issues are not in the grey area which would cause the park to close down, so I don’t understand why it is closed down for minor issues.

“We are going to fix all the issues that they say now, and going forward we will see what comes after,” she added.

Vendor Kerrian Hamilton said the issues at the yam park are beyond the control of the vendors.

“They are saying that around the back of the stalls is supposed to be smooth, so that no water, no dirt is not on the surface. The next thing is around the front that when we are washing the stalls the water must not run on the road. They need some drainage, a different pit to run that water into. They are also talking about some cracks in the ceiling and the walls,” she said, expressing hope that the facility will be reopened before Christmas.

Mitchell said the yam park is historic and is a landmark in southern Jamaica.

“This is a cultural and iconic place for the parish of Manchester. We want to ensure that this park remains open,” he said.

When asked about the action taken after the council was notified of the impending closure last month, Mitchell said a collaborative effort is being worked on to address the issues.

He explained that work is underway to repair concrete wash sinks and the paving of the 12 stalls. The facility also has five bars.

“Ideas Execution has said to me that they have resolved the plumbing issues and there are some minor electrical issues to be resolved. These vendors are mostly from the Bellefield Division and I have contributed some cement and some sand to see that the rendering can be done,” he added.

Since Monday, motorists who usually stop at the facility have been left disappointed that it is closed.

“Since I have been here a lot of people keep coming trying to get yam. There is no yam, no saltfish, so we want to rectify this problem as soon as possible. The vendors, Ideas Execution and myself have committed to see how best we can solve the problem this week, so for next week we want to invite the health department to see if they can open the facility,” said Mitchell.

A meeting among vendors, representatives from Ideas Execution and Councillor Mario Mitchell at Melrose Yam Park on Tuesday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

One of the 17 notices of closure at Melrose Yam Park. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

Patricia Powell, manager at Ideas Execution, speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

Councillor Mario Mitchell (People’s National Party, Bellefield Division) speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)