Private-run market, food centre at Sengkang

Source : Today - 24 Dec 2008

A PILOT project could see more privately-built and run markets and food centres in the heartlands, with Sengkang residents being the first to benefit.

The latter can look forward to a new market and food centre come 2010. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has launched a tender for a market and food centre development at Sengkang Square/Sengkang East Road.

:This will be a standalone, naturally-ventilated market and food centre to be built and run by a private operator.

The 6,000 square metre land parcel is located opposite the Sengkang MRT/LRT station and bus interchange. The project will offer residents an estimated 40 market stalls selling a variety of fresh market produce, as well as50 cooked food stalls.

The operator is also required to provide parking lots and a drop-off porch.

Sengkang was selected for the pilot project as “it is a new town and many residents there have requested for additional market and food centre”, said the HDB.

This development arose from the Forum on HDB Heartware, led by Senior Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu last year. The forum had recommended among other things such as promoting community bonding the resumption of building of wet markets and hawker centres. They can be privately run and operated at estates assessed to be commercially viable.

The tenure for the Sengkang land parcel is for an initial term of 5 years, with an option for second and third terms. The tender closes on Feb 17.