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Monday, July 6, 2009

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PM reveals Straw Market sketches in House By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com: Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has revealed the sketches for the new Bay Street Straw Market and refurbished Supreme Court complex, which are expected to cost no more than $10 million and $6.2 million respectively. Construction of the new market is expected to begin at the end of September and the structure is expected to be completed between January and March 2011, Minister of Public Works Neko Grant said during the budget debate. Based on the sketch presented yesterday in the House of Assembly, the market is a one-story building, unlike the more than $20 million multi-story building proposed by the Christie administration. The new market will be constructed on the site of the old straw market. The Free National Movement government canceled the Christie administration contract with Wooslee Dominion shortly after coming to office in 2007, leading to litigation between the parties. "Consultation has been had with the straw vendors. Additional consultation will take place prior to the complete finalization of it. Members are invited to have a look at the layout of the market and the extent to which suggestions are forthcoming, it is not too late for them to be taken into account," said Ingraham yesterday in the House. The government spread architectural sketches of both buildings across the floor of the House for members to see. In December 2008 a contract was awarded to architect Patrick Rahming for the design of the Bay Street Straw Market. Grant said during the budget debate that the tender process for the contract to build the market is expected to be completed by August 21, 2009. The market is scheduled to be finished 16 to 18 months later. The straw market burned down in September 2001. The last Progressive Liberal Party government signed the contract to construct another market shortly before it left office in May 2007 but did not build a market. The construction of a market has been an election issue for the last two general elections. The government has now set a completion date for the market before the 2012 election, which is the outer limit for the calling of an election. The government has moved away from the position that a new court complex would be constructed in the near future. Instead, the old Supreme Court complex at Bank Lane will be upgraded. Ingraham said the government is hoping that construction would begin on the building no later than November. Wednesday, July 1, 2009