The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) will start its gradual optimisation project of the Iao Hon vendor stalls in September, but the vendors’ businesses will only “minimally be disrupted” by the revamp, Northern District Community Service Consultative Council deputy convener Chan Ian Ian said yesterday.
Chan made the remarks during a press briefing after a regular closed-door meeting with IAM officials at the Government Service Centre in Areia Preta yesterday.
A dozen vendor stalls in the area were gutted by fire on April 20.
Chan told reporters that the bureau has devised an “optimisation project” for the area to enhance fire safety, which includes the redesign of the stalls’ layout, the upgrade of their fire safety and electrical equipment, and the enhancement of the environment and facilities in general.
Chan said that each stall will be equipped with an individual electricity meter and an independent power switch.
Chan pointed out that the stalls will remain located on Rua Segunda do Bairro da Areia Preta, with the total number of 32 stalls unchanged. The stall size will remain 2m x 2m, and four stalls will be grouped in clusters, and nine electrical rooms will be provided in total. She also said that the passageways between the clusters of stalls will be widened from the original 1.0 metre to 2.0 metres to improve pedestrian flow and enhance fire safety.
Meanwhile, according to Chan, the main stall structures will be constructed from steel, with the internal height increased to 2.65 metres, while the aluminium shutters will be replaced with see-through ones and the wire mesh partitions between the stalls will be substituted with brick walls. Each stall will be equipped with a sprinkler system as well. Each cluster of stalls will feature roof ventilation louvres, Chan said.
Chan added that the southern side of the vender stalls will be converted into a small rest garden to be added to area.
Chan underlined that the project is slated to be completed within180 days. It will be implemented in four phases, Chan said, adding that the vendors’ operations will be “minimally disrupted”. She also said all 32 stalls will be able to continue operating in the “optimised” area.
Council member Fu U O added that the storage of batteries or charging devices in the area, especially after closing hours, will be prohibited, and violators will be penalised.
This image provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) last Friday shows an artist’s rendition of the ‘optimised’ Iao Hon vendor stalls.
