Stabroek Market set for expansion, Bourda Market to be rebuilt – Manickchand

The historic Stabroek Market is set to undergo restoration and expansion, while the Bourda Market will be completely rebuilt as part of ongoing efforts to transform Georgetown, according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand.

“Before the next five years the Stabroek market is going to be restored and extended, and the Bourda market is going to be rebuilt completely,” she said on a recent episode of Guyana Dialogue.

However, Manickchand explained that restoring a historic structure like the Stabroek Market requires careful planning, particularly given the age of the building and the need to accommodate vendors.

“If you want to see a plan for that you can’t see it now because we are still in the process of getting the details of what restoration looks like when you are talking about something built a hundred years ago and then how do you accommodate the people who can no longer fit in this restored building by an extension that does not take away from the aesthetics from it,” Manickchand explained.

She added that the process will take time but work is already underway behind the scenes.

Manickchand also revealed that the King’s Foundation is working with the Government of Guyana on plans aimed at transforming Georgetown. She said the transformation will focus not only on new developments but also on preserving the city’s heritage.

“The transformation of Georgetown includes the restoration of buildings that we have, how we can organise the city in a way so that transportation is orderly and that the usage of the roads is orderly, how we can maintain our green spaces so that we don’t give up that part of our heritage, how we could preserve our arts and our history, now that’s very detailed work,” she said.

According to Manickchand, finalising the plans will require time and careful consideration, noting that the vision is broader than constructing modern buildings.

“We are not looking to only build out the glass buildings and the high rises, we are looking to restore,” she noted.