$1.3M remodelled Road Town Market Square opens

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As promised by Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), the remodelled Road Town Market Square opened for business today, February 13, 2023, just over two years after ground was broken. Photo: Facebook

Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) $1.3M has been expended to date on the newly constructed Road Town Market Square. Photo: VINO

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As promised by Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), the remodelled Road Town Market Square opened for business today, February 13, 2023, just over two years after ground was broken.

The Government of the Virgin Islands has to date expended a total of $1.3M on the newly constructed market and, according to Honourable Rymer, by the time all works are completed, it would be in the region of $1.7M.

“We have been through four budget cycles to get to where we are today…We dedicate this market square here today with immense pride and great joy. May this space encourage not only economic enrichment but recreational enjoyment as well,” Hon Rymer said during the Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony.

Some unfinished business

Water is still not available at the kiosks; however, City Manager Mrs Janice E.L. Braitwaite-Edwards said the Water and Sewerage Department has promised to rectify it soonest.

Mrs Braitwaite-Edwards is tasked with the management of the facilities until a contract is awarded, following a bidding process.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) commended Hon Rymer for seeing the project to completion.

“The capital under the stewardship of Hon Kye Rymer has become more beautiful…I want to say, let’s celebrate the improvement to our capital and by God’s blessings and God’s grace we will continue to improve the city of Road Town.”

Representative for the Fourth District Hon Mark H. Vanterpool also praised Hon Rymer for delivering on the project.

Meanwhile, at least 5 of the kiosks were occupied for business today.

See related article:

New RT Market Square 'substantially completed & ready for occupancy'- Hon Rymer

37 Responses to “$1.3M remodelled Road Town Market Square opens”

facts (13/02/2023, 18:05) Like (9) Dislike (19) Reply
And they say VIP ain't do anything good...when they broke ground of this project alot of people said it was another breaking of the ground ceremony where nothing will be done. Once again they ae were wrong.
- coi (13/02/2023, 21:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
  Did we not just have a COI?
  
  Looks like another is necessary.
- 1.3 Million (13/02/2023, 23:31) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
  Wow For a bunch of shed's?
- Truth (14/02/2023, 08:00) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
  @ facts, the school children did say it would finish jus in time for election which it did how long does it take to put up those kind of wood stalls who know this field of work, it could have been finish longggggg time but playing politrics gimmicks we just know better
Zone 5 (13/02/2023, 18:36) Like (10) Dislike (16) Reply
You go kye
ABC (13/02/2023, 18:50) Like (4) Dislike (20) Reply
very good project
Alice (13/02/2023, 19:17) Like (46) Dislike (6) Reply
Waste of money. When I passed by today and saw the opening I felt so sad for my people. . The most that those stamp should cost is 20000. Each. 1.3 mm and 1% of the produce up for sale is grown off island. Our politican are disgraceful. We have so many schools hospital , unfinished and community centers. . Only God can help us in this country.
herbs power (13/02/2023, 19:23) Like (55) Dislike (3) Reply
Which part of that could cost 1.3 million when the materials was bought in wholesale. Call election quick bhuddy. Shame.
WTF (13/02/2023, 19:27) Like (52) Dislike (1) Reply
Have these f**king idiots we have here representing us eber traveled any where and see a market square designed like this bull sh*t they build here for a market? If it rains there is no where to shelter. The markets that I have seen in my travels, and I have traveled extensively. What I see is a large covered structure that houses multiple vendors selling their various merchandise. Look at the cost of these kiosks that does not serve the purpose. It is not functional. Now they want the vendors to pay through their a**zes. This Unity Government got to go. Any country priority is having a sound Health, Education and Enviiroment System. This government as well as previous govdrnments never made these a priority. God help us.
- @wtf (13/02/2023, 20:56) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
  Exactly, a covered up building that would house more vendors than what they built here wouldve been more ideal with option of building a 2nd or 3rd floor for commercial, office space for rent. Who are really the advisors that advise these ppl in government and the ones who passes these things? We can do much better.
  - @wtf (14/02/2023, 12:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Offices to rent? Dont we have enough empty buildings in the capital?
what (13/02/2023, 19:31) Like (42) Dislike (0) Reply
1.3 mil ??? For what ? Dem horse barns ?? No man
Whaaat? (13/02/2023, 19:32) Like (84) Dislike (0) Reply
Opening after 2 years and still no water ready?
5 out of 16 kiosks only tented? Looks like the rent is too high for the farmers who struggle to make a living
It’s not complete??? What else is going to cost 400,000.00? That whole place should not have cost more than 400k
Winky (13/02/2023, 19:42) Like (35) Dislike (1) Reply
1.3 million for a few shacks....WTF ?
Hold the government accountable (13/02/2023, 20:33) Like (26) Dislike (3) Reply
We want our increments!!
yea (13/02/2023, 20:54) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
Don't see it sorry
tola (13/02/2023, 21:16) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
No shelter for customers rubbish you all need go in the caribbean and see market.
Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (13/02/2023, 21:29) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
Something good is better than something not good, but in modern time like this, better is needed, in reference to the topic issue.
We live is a time that people demand the best for their tax paid dollars. Surely tangible evidence is clear to see that the Farmer's Market is not up to the standards that we can afford, nor is it's Architectural structural appearance attractive enough, in many and mine honest opinion.
I am not a contractor, but for a cost of $1.3M, ??? remain unanswered.
- useless smh (14/02/2023, 19:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
  ur comments r always too long plz shorten. ik i dont have to read it.
up town (13/02/2023, 21:37) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
Jah Archibal did a great job the boy takes pride in his work
WHAT!!! (13/02/2023, 21:40) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
1.3 million????
Someone got fat from that.
VIP 4 more years (13/02/2023, 21:56) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
Ndp is a waste of time under Smurf
disappointed (13/02/2023, 22:03) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
These people really sick and out of there head 1.3 Million where? come on people where did this 1.3 Million go to, tell me.Are we going to really vote back in these morons again. it is sickening and disgusting. i really thought with most of them being young, they would look ahead into the future and have better idea or even come forward to the general public for a little pointers. Only one building needed with a proper design for a market, it's such a shame that or own people don't even know what a market looks like. Clearly all of you are not ready to lead the people of these beautiful islands.
Wwt (13/02/2023, 22:10) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
One good shower if rain and everybody get wet
Hmm (13/02/2023, 22:12) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
Can you get a proper shelter from the rain. Scewpsss Waste of money. So your telling me im paying $200-$300 to offload and load back up my products everyday. No place to lock up produce?
Blackbeauty (13/02/2023, 22:41) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
Why are unfinish projects always dedicated before completion?
The cost and what is presented does not add up. Why is everything in this place three and four times the price?
We are spending money as though we are manufacturing it. The reckless spending needs to stopped.
WOW (13/02/2023, 22:59) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
1 million dollars for a elevator that goes up 2 floors...Over a million for a couple of booths????
civ servant (13/02/2023, 23:30) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
That 1.3 million could have paid some of our increments
hmm (13/02/2023, 23:52) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
I am glad to see this done but 1.5 million for a few gazebos completely open to the elements? This must be the twilight zone. How can they justify 1.5 million?
2023 (14/02/2023, 00:23) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
let hope it does not rain because how will the box owner secure their stuff and shelter themselves

the boxes could be a bit bigger
farmer (14/02/2023, 01:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
1.3m already for a total of 1.7m..... who the contractor(s) were that ripped us off... I would have done that for the .7M with 250k in my pocket for those elegant shacks they put up there. Can't keep sun nor rain from impacting goods or customers. Good idea but waste of money as contractor(s) should be ashamed of how their outcome looks.. but pocket ????.
Market needed (14/02/2023, 05:28) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
We need a farmer's market. I don't like the location in the middle of the city when we already have real parking shortage issues. That location would have been better served as a paid parking help the parking Issues, bring guaranteed revenue to the Govt. I would have like to see the Mkt in that location where they now do cone learning and testing driving. That area is huge.. It could have easily fit in on the end close to Pancake paradise, or at the entrance end close to the sea..
james (14/02/2023, 08:03) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
NO INCREMENTS NO VOTES
Josiahsbay (14/02/2023, 08:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
Those booths could have been prefabricated and installed within a month.
no no (14/02/2023, 11:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
The stalls do not have enough counter space to actually display produce on. There’s more space on the inside for the person selling to stand and walk, than for the produce on display.
price (14/02/2023, 12:19) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
The price point is very interesting because if you ask me this doesn’t look like a project that costed more than $300k and that’s being generous. It is especially interesting that the minister for this project simultaneously had their abode under construction. Do with that what you will.
RedStorm (15/02/2023, 09:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
Please bring in the COI on this project. It is not a true figure. Simple shelves and a sink and a roof. No way Jose!

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$1.3M remodelled Road Town Market Square opens

37 Responses to “$1.3M remodelled Road Town Market Square opens”

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