PHILIPSBURG/SIMPSON BAY–Market vendors in Philipsburg and Simpson Bay learnt from Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Minister Stuart Johnson that plans were being finalised to erect modern facilities to replace those in Philipsburg that were destroyed by hurricanes and to improve the situation at Kim Sha Beach in Simpson Bay.
Johnson and Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Minister Miklos Giterson visited both marketplaces on Wednesday morning to get first-hand information from the vendors as to their thoughts for the new facilities and to understand what grievances or concerns they presently have.
Johnson said in a statement on Wednesday evening, “I watch you from my window every day packing your products and it hurts my heart to see you having to go through this, and this cannot continue for much longer, as we have to find a real solution.”
The Simpson Bay and Philipsburg Marketplace Project is a priority for the St. Maarten United Christian Democratic coalition and the TEATT and VROMI Ministries.
The ministers also handed out artists’ impressions of the proposed new structures. The drawings included two options for the street between New Testament Baptist Church and the marketplace. One option is to make the existing street a one-way lane and widen the marketplace and the other is to create two lanes in opposite directions on both sides of the marketplace.
Based on the new designs, the vendors would no longer have to go through the process of packing and unpacking their goods daily, as they would be able to remain in the new secure outlets. The market vendors who were on hand to speak to the ministers cheered and expressed their excitement at the news as this was mentioned.
In the Simpson Bay area, the minister met with five of the eight vendors and explained that the intention is to build a permanent structure complete with water and electricity. Parking will be appropriately regulated, and the bathroom facility will be improved.
According to Johnson, “While we wanted to tell them about our plans, we were also interested in getting their feedback. This is important, since they are the ones who are operating at the marketplace and therefore they should be given an opportunity to contribute to the plans for improvement.”
Simpson Bay market vendors were told about the need to ensure that they adhere to the necessary regulations. The ministers encouraged the market vendors to pay attention to the volume when playing music, so it does not affect other businesses in the surrounding area.
The vendors mentioned some concerns such as limited light in the parking area at night and water drainage issues, which Giterson promised to look into.
The plan is to relocate the vendors during the construction process to temporary locations that still have to be identified by the ministries.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/83821-johnson-and-giterson-present-new-designs-for-marketplaces
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