Pasar Gede's facelift on hold

Pasar Gede's facelift on hold

SURAKARTA, Central Java: The local administration has said the
renovation of Pasar Gede market was unlikely to commence in the
near future because only 40 percent of the necessary funds have
been raised.

Head of the market management Triyanto told Antara on Friday
that the fund-raisers had so far only managed to collect Rp 2.4
billion of the Rp 6.1 billion needed.

The mayoralty administration has considered asking for
financial assistance from both the provincial and central
governments, citing the fact that the market was a historical
legacy, Triyanto said.

"We're focusing on fund-raising efforts as we don't want the
renovation to be conducted only in part," he said.

Preparations for the renovation were expected to be completed
by the end of this month.

The market, built by the Dutch in the early 1930s, was
severely damaged by fire on April 29.

The market's former vendors are currently operating at Benteng
Plaza, which is located in the square facing Surakarta palace.

"The problem is it blocks off the parking area and causes
traffic jams, particularly when the town is holding the annual
Sekaten fair," Triyanto said. The fair runs for one month in
celebration of the birth of Prophet Mohammad. (09)