By JUAN MCCARTNEY, Guardian Senior Reporter, juan@nasguard.com


Despite promising to erect a new building to house the downtown straw vendors, a close examination of the 2008-09 budget and recent remarks by Minister of Works and Transport Dr Earl Deveaux, show that the government has no plans to start building a new straw market within the next fiscal year.

In fact, Deveaux recently announced that the government plans to build a "downtown urban park" at the site of the old straw market, which was destroyed by fire on Sept 4, 2001.

"My ministry has put together a team of urban planners and architects from my ministry, to design and develop an urban park at the old straw market site in the city of Nassau," said Deveaux during his contribution to the budget debate on Thursday.

"This park will provide much-needed open green space in the heart of the city of Nassau, providing a venue for casual entertainment. The park, which will be completed this fiscal year, will include benches, planters, gardens, and indigenous shade trees."

Straw vendors have yet to react to the government's latest move concerning their future home.

Some vendors and the opposition Progressive Liberal Party have criticized the government for delaying the construction of a new straw market, and for the cancellation of the $23 million contract for a new straw market the Christie administration left in place.

While straw market vendors won't get the new building they have agitated so long for, Deveaux on Thursday did reiterate the government's promise to repair the tent under which the straw vendors now operate.

Deveaux said the improvements will provide "a cleaner and more attractive environment in keeping with the redevelopment of the city of Nassau."

"The existing tent will be replaced with one that is better ventilated and more translucent for better lighting. Proposals and quotes have been received for the tent replacement and these are currently under review by technical officers in the Departments of Public Works and Physical Planning," he said.

Some vendors, more specifically those that specialize in manufacturing Bahamian craft (but not straw items), can look forward to the transformation of the old customs building at the Prince George Dock, into an authentic Bahamian craft market.

Deveaux said the new market, "is being reconfigured into a Bahamian craft market to address the congestion that currently exists at the Festival Place Welcome Center, and to provide a venue for Bahamians interested in selling indigenous Bahamian goods and craft."

"The market will showcase various Bahamian authentic craft and artifacts and serve as an informational area for visitors," he said.

"Technical officers in my ministry have prepared drawings and scopes of works for the conversion of this building into an Authentic Bahamian Craft Market. The design will create an "open" environment with wide aisles to accommodate the pedestrian traffic.

Deveaux said the Bahamian craft market will be completed this fiscal year and will accommodate 300 to 400 vendors.

In a nut shelll.. it will mean the end of fake material at what we know know as the Strew Market....BOL...

In a nut shelll.. it will mean the end of fake material at what we know know as the Strew Market....BOL...

:bouncy:Bey when I Read dis... my heart leaped with joy at the new park to come. Bring it on :bouncy::bouncy:

As for the New Market.... tink we cud keep it oor-ten-tic? Anyone eva taut bout tappin' into all that our students do...many a talent....:hammer::hammer:

:bouncy:Bey when I Read dis... my heart leaped with joy at the new park to come. Bring it on :bouncy::bouncy:
As for the New Market.... tink we cud keep it oor-ten-tic? Anyone eva taut bout tappin' into all that our students do...many a talent....:hammer::hammer:Yes, training is the key.. a program is been developed it would introducted many young people to the art and in the process make... new business people.....

The government will be will to provide start up funding...

The plan is been developed.... a lot is happening.... a lot...

I have mix feelings about this.

I have mix feelings about this.Conch Salad or peas and rice.. splain please.... Speak your mind... Government is watching.....

:bouncy:Bey when I Read dis... my heart leaped with joy at the new park to come. Bring it on :bouncy::bouncy:
As for the New Market.... tink we cud keep it oor-ten-tic? Anyone eva taut bout tappin' into all that our students do...many a talent....:hammer::hammer:

I think the straw market is...or should be eveolving. The degeneration of the premeir straw market to a mere flea market is an indication.

No more should they be straw vendors...always needing help and government intervention, after all they are merchants just like everyone else in this country.

A new demand and market is taking shape, a demand for real authentic craft, and not just sisal products, conch, mere sand, salts, soaps, wood sculpters are getting in demands, and in better setting, proper boutiques...this is how the craft industry should evolve.


And back to the park....I am interested in what they come up with. It is another opportunity for Bahamian artists to get more sculpter in Downtown.

well thats great news! now what are they gonna do with that spot where the straw vendors are once they move? i hope they turn that into green space as well or a heroes memorial garden.

By JUAN MCCARTNEY, Guardian Senior Reporter, juan@nasguard.com
Despite promising to erect a new building to house the downtown straw vendors, a close examination of the 2008-09 budget and recent remarks by Minister of Works and Transport Dr Earl Deveaux, show that the government has no plans to start building a new straw market within the next fiscal year.
In fact, Deveaux recently announced that the government plans to build a "downtown urban park" at the site of the old straw market, which was destroyed by fire on Sept 4, 2001.
"My ministry has put together a team of urban planners and architects from my ministry, to design and develop an urban park at the old straw market site in the city of Nassau," said Deveaux during his contribution to the budget debate on Thursday.
"This park will provide much-needed open green space in the heart of the city of Nassau, providing a venue for casual entertainment. The park, which will be completed this fiscal year, will include benches, planters, gardens, and indigenous shade trees."
Straw vendors have yet to react to the government's latest move concerning their future home.
Some vendors and the opposition Progressive Liberal Party have criticized the government for delaying the construction of a new straw market, and for the cancellation of the $23 million contract for a new straw market the Christie administration left in place.
While straw market vendors won't get the new building they have agitated so long for, Deveaux on Thursday did reiterate the government's promise to repair the tent under which the straw vendors now operate.
Deveaux said the improvements will provide "a cleaner and more attractive environment in keeping with the redevelopment of the city of Nassau."
"The existing tent will be replaced with one that is better ventilated and more translucent for better lighting. Proposals and quotes have been received for the tent replacement and these are currently under review by technical officers in the Departments of Public Works and Physical Planning," he said.
Some vendors, more specifically those that specialize in manufacturing Bahamian craft (but not straw items), can look forward to the transformation of the old customs building at the Prince George Dock, into an authentic Bahamian craft market.
Deveaux said the new market, "is being reconfigured into a Bahamian craft market to address the congestion that currently exists at the Festival Place Welcome Center, and to provide a venue for Bahamians interested in selling indigenous Bahamian goods and craft."
"The market will showcase various Bahamian authentic craft and artifacts and serve as an informational area for visitors," he said.
"Technical officers in my ministry have prepared drawings and scopes of works for the conversion of this building into an Authentic Bahamian Craft Market. The design will create an "open" environment with wide aisles to accommodate the pedestrian traffic.
Deveaux said the Bahamian craft market will be completed this fiscal year and will accommodate 300 to 400 vendors.


Oh well!.. another retirement park for the Alchkies, now they will have a choice. :dgi:

Oh well!.. another retirement park for the Alchkies, now they will have a choice. :dgi:
I was just about to post about this. Bay Street has enough vagrants now the govt gonna give them a "free" home!

Persons working downtown and the tourist won't be able to enjoy the space because of them!

Conch Salad or peas and rice.. splain please.... Speak your mind... Government is watching.....
My issue, is simple.
There was a committee of Bahamians who came together with ideas: both FNM and PLPs. A decision was made regarding how down town Nassau should progress. The public was "educated" on the direction of how the landscape will be. Sadly it seems like all that work was in vain and now, Bahamians will have to wait to see what will happen to Down Town as to actually knowing and participating within the change.

Governments come and go, ideas and policies change, however, it seems as if sadly the hard works and efforts of those Bahamians will be cast aside.

A green space is good: in fact it is a beautiful idea. However, I am not quite sure whether that particular space is the best space for it. I would have considered a more central position of town...Perhaps a town square. Nevertheless, that me.

One would assume that since the entire landscape of down town will change, whosoever government in power would have had options. As the ports more and building are torn down, one would have assume there would have been scores of spots to put a green space.

Lastly, I like the thought of the straw Market being down town, on bay street. Personally, i am uncomfortable with it being so close to the cruise ships. I love the Americans too much to have the straw market so 'close' to them. Watch I get slack for saying that.

My issue, is simple.
There was a committee of Bahamians who came together with ideas: both FNM and PLPs. A decision was made regarding how down town Nassau should progress. The public was "educated" on the direction of how the landscape will be. Sadly it seems like all that work was in vain and now, Bahamians will have to wait to see what will happen to Down Town as to actually knowing and participating within the change.
Governments come and go, ideas and policies change, however, it seems as if sadly the hard works and efforts of those Bahamians will be cast aside.
A green space is good: in fact it is a beautiful idea. However, I am not quite sure whether that particular space is the best space for it. I would have considered a more central position of town...Perhaps a town square. Nevertheless, that me.
One would assume that since the entire landscape of down town will change, whosoever government in power would have had options. As the ports more and building are torn down, one would have assume there would have been scores of spots to put a green space.
Lastly, I like the thought of the straw Market being down town, on bay street. Personally, i am uncomfortable with it being so close to the cruise ships. I love the Americans too much to have the straw market so 'close' to them. Watch I get slack for saying that...bey you really change...I recalled the days when you used to be almost like me.. could give two hoots what people dem think of me...
BUT you have a point.. and it will be considered as garbage and filed as trashed.. LOL.. BOL...

..bey you really change...I recalled the days when you used to be almost like me.. could give two hoots what people dem think of me...
BUT you have a point.. and it will be considered as garbage and filed as trashed.. LOL.. BOL...
getting old nah watsayu.
Decided just to take care of my own...and that's sad...perhaps in the future, I will morph into something better. I am now realizing that the power that be, doesn't really care. They just do enough.

getting old nah watsayu.
Decided just to take care of my own...and that's sad...perhaps in the future, I will morph into something better. I am now realizing that the power that be, doesn't really care. They just do enough.Boy, I agree with you for true... cause I hear that cassies and Omar dem trying to joing the PLP sayiong things tough.. and you know BJ don left Maynard and Phenton dem long time...

I guess phenton and charles dem suffering big time cause BJ gone... BOL.....

Boy, I agree with you for true... cause I hear that cassies and Omar dem trying to joing the PLP sayiong things tough.. and you know BJ don left Maynard and Phenton dem long time...
I guess phenton and charles dem suffering big time cause BJ gone... BOL.....
one must stay focus when one discusses social issues...