The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will begin construction of a $4 million Drag Mall in the capital city next year, Housing Minister Edmund Dillon said during yesterday’s Standing Finance Committee session in Parliament.
He made the comment in response to questions from Opposition MP Dr Roodal Moonilal on plans for the “development and management of a property” at 43 Independence Square, Port-of-Spain.
Dillon said the property was referred to as the “Drag Mall,” which is located next to New City Mall.
“If you would recall, there was a fire quite recently. That is the building we are talking about,” Dillon said.
Moonilal told Dillon his ministry had been allocated $4 million in the 2019 Budget for the development of this property, as he inquired what they intended to do with the money.
Dillon said following the August fire the property, which belongs to the his ministry, was deemed unsafe by engineers and they had to move all of its tenants.
“So it’s a question of demolition and reconstruction,” Dillon said.
Princes Town MP Barry Padarath asked when construction of the new Drag Mall will take place.
“I don’t have a timeline, it is based on the demolition and construction. But we have catered to start the project in 2019,” Dillon replied.