By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
BUXTON, EAST COAST DEMERARA — The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has formally launched a massive infrastructural overhaul in Region Four, turning the sod on Wednesday for a brand-new, modern marketplace in the historic village of Buxton.
The extensive project involves the complete demolition of the existing, derelict structure to clear the way for a state-of-the-art, two-storey commercial facility. The contract has been officially awarded through a public tender process to R&P Engineering & General Construction at a precise cost of $388,147,745, utilizing designs drafted by Skylines Architecture Inc. The new complex is structurally engineered to accommodate approximately 136 distinct vendor stalls, providing an immediate economic haven for existing sellers, current roadside traders, and future small business applicants.
Addressing the gathering of local residents and merchants, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, emphasized that the state opted for a total reconstructive strategy because the previous century-old structure had deteriorated past the point of structural salvage.
“This clearly cannot be rehabilitated, so this is a pull-down and build-back construction,” Minister Manickchand stated bluntly. “We observed vendors operating under tough conditions along the roadside because they couldn’t physically utilize the market in its present state. This modern layout will give families a safe, hygienic, and highly organized space to comfortably earn their livelihoods.”
Technical Layout & Modern Infrastructure Profile
The new facility moves away from traditional open-air designs to establish an elevated, flood-resilient, multi-sector commercial grid:
| Infrastructure Feature | Functional Integration & Design Parameters |
| Zoned Commodities | Dedicated, sanitary sections explicitly isolated for fresh meat, fish, produce, and general dry goods. |
| Boutique & Retail Spaces | Purpose-built internal layout spaces to house salons, barber services, clothing boutiques, and small business startups. |
| Flooding Resilience | An elevated foundation slab tied directly to a comprehensive, newly engineered perimeter drainage grid. |
| Security & Logistics | High-definition CCTV surveillance arrays paired with an integrated internal waste management system. |
| Strict Project Timeline | 8-Month Completion Window with fixed structural penalties for contractor delays or unauthorized cost overruns. |
[ THE NEW BUXTON COMMERCIAL GRID ]
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┌────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼
[ GROUND LEVEL ] [ UPPER LEVEL ]
- Fresh Produce & Veggies - Dry Goods & General Retail
- Zoned Meat & Fish Stalls - Salons & Barber Shops
- Drainage & Waste Units - Administration & CCTV Hub
“This market will create major, direct opportunities for our local farmers, fishermen, vendors, and emerging small business owners,” noted Walston Martins, Chairman of the Buxton/Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). Martins highlighted the rich commercial heritage of the location, reminding attendees that the original market began its operations in the 1950s and was long revered as one of the premier trading hubs on the East Coast of Demerara before changing trade patterns slowed its activity.
The economic sentiment was strongly echoed by David Jones, a resident and Vice Chairman of the Buxton/Foulis NDC, who explained that the entire community welcomes the massive injection of state capital. “This venture is of such a nature that it will stimulate a major emergence of economic activity right inside our community,” Jones asserted. “This is exactly what Buxton needs to thrive.”
Minister Manickchand concluded by charging the regional administration, including Regional Chairman Clemsford Belgrave, alongside the local residents, to maintain active civic oversight during the eight-month construction phase. Asserting that the Buxton build forms part of a wider national infrastructure strategy—which includes similar market transformations in East Ruimveldt, Plaisance, Mon Repos, and Port Mourant—the administration aims to deliver a modernized retail hub that respects the deep-rooted cultural and commercial identity of the village.
