$60M Buff Bay Market Set to Open in August — A Modern Boost for Portland’s Economy

 PORTLAND, Jamaica

Buff Bay is about to get a major upgrade. A brand-new, state-of-the-art market—constructed at a cost of $60 million—is scheduled to open in the first week of August, marking a milestone in the Government’s ongoing drive to modernize commercial spaces across Jamaica.

The market, part of the Jamaica 50 legacy projects, was built from the ground up after the Ministry of Local Government decided to forgo renovating the old structure in favor of a complete rebuild.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, who visited the site, praised the work done and confirmed his return for the official opening. He described the facility as one that “will be the envy of many parishes.”

Built From Scratch – A New Model for Jamaica

“This is the first of its kind that we are building that provides natural lighting and everything that comes naturally,” McKenzie said.

The design reflects a shift toward greener, more community-centered development, providing natural ventilation and improved functionality for vendors and shoppers alike.

The final cost is expected to exceed the original $60 million, as the government intends to fund additional improvements in the coming weeks.

 Vendors Urged to Embrace the Facility

Minister McKenzie also addressed concerns about vendors selling outside the market space. He revealed that a designated area is now being prepared to accommodate grocery sellers and other informal traders.

“I’m hoping that after all the efforts that we have put in, the vendors will now come into this new location,” McKenzie stated, urging full use of the facility.

Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Paul Thompson, echoed this sentiment, declaring a “no-tolerance” policy toward vendors who refuse to relocate into the new market.

“The hardest part of my work now is to get the vendors to come into the market,” said Thompson. “We’re going to intensify our enforcement to get vendors off the street.”

Highlights:

$60M market opens first week of August in Buff Bay, Portland

Brand-new construction as part of Jamaica 50 legacy project

Designed for natural lighting and modern amenities

Minister McKenzie and Mayor Thompson urge vendors to use facility

Enforcement will be stepped up to prevent street vending

This new market is more than a building—it’s a symbol of what modern governance should look like: investment in local economies, infrastructure that respects the environment, and space for informal vendors to thrive safely. But for it to succeed, enforcement must match infrastructure, and both vendors and buyers must embrace the change.