City Council pushes ahead with final phase of $240M Kitty Market project despite delays

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) on Monday announced plans to complete the external painting of the Kitty Market as part of ongoing efforts to have the facility fully refurbished and reopened soon.
This was revealed during the council’s recent statutory meeting, where officials noted that the long-delayed rehabilitation of the Kitty Market remains a multi-phase project estimated to cost approximately $240 million.
The project, which was initially expected to be completed earlier in 2025, has experienced significant delays.

According to Mentore, while internal work and painting have largely been completed, attention is now shifting to the external structure, along with outstanding utility-related work involving Guyana Power and Light (GPL).
“I see the market site is already fully painted internally. So now we move around to the back, Mr Holland’s work. We are trying to get that done because we want to complete the external work, along with the work we have been doing with GPL to install meters so that the market can be opened,” he stated.
He also noted that residents and stakeholders have been consistently enquiring about the reopening timeline, adding that updates will be provided as progress continues.
Meanwhile, the Mayor commended the council’s ongoing efforts in advancing the project and ensuring visible progress on the ground.
“I must commend the council’s work for being active and taking real action to ensure this is properly done. This is something that has been ongoing for some time, including the clean-up of the area itself,” he said.
He further urged Councillor Narine Singh to ensure the continued clean-up and maintenance of the facility. “We need to clean up the place and make sure it shines. So, ensure you do your part, Narine Singh,” he added.
The rehabilitation of the Kitty Market remains one of the city’s key infrastructure projects as the council moves toward its eventual reopening.
In December of 2025, the Mayor noted that the necessary certification for electrical competence has been completed and submitted, and discussions are ongoing with GPL to finalise the installation process.
With structural and engineering works already assessed and completed, Mentore confirmed that priority will be given to former vendors who previously operated at the Kitty Market.
Beyond reopening the market, the City Council is exploring partnerships with private investors to make the area more vibrant and commercially attractive. He explained that such initiatives could transform the area into a major hub of activity.
The rehabilitation of the Kitty Market began in 2016, but construction halted, causing many to refer to the work as an election gimmick.
As of April 2025, the rehabilitation of the market was reported at 75 per cent complete. The renovation, which started around 2016 to modernise the facility, includes a two-storey structure with over 100 stalls, a fish/meat section, and a planned community health centre.