Starting from the end of this year, 159 stalls at Chinatown Street Market will be refurbished. Located along Pagoda, Sago, Smith and Trengganu Streets, these stalls have been worn down by time, making them potential fire hazards. Renovations will begin in phases, during which 13 to 20 stalls could be affected at any one time, and shuttered for eight to 10 weeks.
Safety elements like sprinklers and insulated roofs will be added, and the area will be revamped to look cleaner and newer. It’s definitely a welcome change, if you ask us. The market’s been looking a little dilapidated in recent times, what with all the traffic that has been through since its launch in 2004.
The Chinatown Business Association will organise dialogues for stall holders to elaborate on the details and get their feedback, according to Channel NewsAsia. Tenants get two months’ notice before the start of renovations, and rental costs will be reviewed in line with current market rates.
The first phase begins in the last quarter of the year, and the last phase will hopefully be done by the first half of 2018.
Here’s to a sparkling new Chinatown in 2018.
