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Brand new look ... An artist’s impression of what century-old Chowrasta Market would look like upon completion of upgrading works.

GEORGE TOWN (Feb 21, 2012): The century-old Chowrasta Market here will be given a brand new look in a RM12 million refurbishing exercise which is expected to commence by the end of the year.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the upgrading was the first since the market’s last facelift in 1961.

He said the upgrading works will incorporate eco-friendly features while preserving the heritage features of the existing three-storey building.

“It will be GBI (Green Building Index) certified,” he said during a press briefing on the proposed refurbishing works today.

Records show that the original wet market, the earliest one in Penang and within the currently designated UNESCO heritage buffer zone, was built sometime in the 1870s.

A front portion was added in 1920 and the whole building was torn down and rebuilt as seen today in 1961.

Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) records show that the market has 240 lots on the first level – 18 stalls for food and drinks and 81 lots for sundry goods – with a 30 to 40% occupancy rate.

In the briefing, Arkitek LLA director Ong Jin Cheng, the company engaged to draw up the design plan, proposed that a five-storey car park which can accommodate 150 cars be added to the back of the building.

In the proposed design, the interior would be revamped to solve lighting and ventilation issues.

It will also include the installation of escalators for mobility.

Ong said the first floor would also be revamped to provide the public with facilities to pay bills and to conduct other everyday businesses.

“The upper levels will be transformed into a rooftop garden where produce can be grown and then sold downstairs,” he told the press.

Meanwhile, MPPP secretary Ang Aing Thye stressed that the proposed design was still at the conceptual stage and discussions will be held with stakeholders to gather feedback.

“It should be completed in about three years,” he added. [News link]

Posted by admin on February 22, 2012 under Tourism News.