TODAY'S deadline to complete the refurbishing of markets in preparation for the relocation of vendors has not been met.Sunday Gleaner checks yesterday found Oxford Mall being paved, the Pearnel Charles Arcade being painted and plans are to paint the annexes at the Queen's Market today.
Gary Robotham, commercial services manager at the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) said yesterday that the work was set back because of heavy rains. However, he is certain that all will be completed by tomorrow.
"The relocation itself will take about two to three weeks," he said.
The urgency to repair the markets and relocate the vendors came from pressure put on Government by the downtown Kingston business community which threatened to lock down the district if the sidewalks were not cleared of vendors.
But even while the KSAC is busily trying to complete the preparations, the street vendors, fearful of inner-city 'dons', are pondering a demonstration tomorrow to express their concerns.
According to the Government, tomorrow is D-Day for the vendors to be removed from the streets. Prime Minister P. J. Patterson had set the November 4 deadline for completion of repairs to the market district and the start of vendor relocation.
When a Sunday Gleaner news team visited the area yesterday, it was business as usual. The sidewalks were still taken by the vendors. Those who were in the roadway have backed up a little, moving closer to the sidewalk.
"We want fe demonstrate, but we fraid a de lick, because we hear sey dem ago use de don dem fe move we," said Velma, a mother of three and the breadwinner in her family.
One vendor who identified herself as "Tina" said she has been selling on Princess Street for many years and developed a good relationship with several customers. Removing means that she could lose all her business.
