Famous in the region Vilnius district The Rudamina Farmers' Market will reopen on August 1 after almost four years of reconstruction. The renovation work, which cost about 2,5 million lei, is expected to be completed by then.
"The Rudaminas market will be more convenient for market visitors and traders. The renovated market will impress with its modern environment and developed public infrastructure," Jolanta Gulbinovič, head of communications at the municipal administration, told BNS.
The renovated market on Gamyklos Street will have 236 retail outlets, including 12 pavilions, where trading will take place continuously, regardless of the market's opening hours.
The market will feature outdoor stationary pavilions, shelters with stalls, and places for selling from cars. Some of the places will be adapted for the disabled.
"During the reconstruction, the market territory was expanded by modernizing all existing functional trading zones according to the range of goods. The territory will be divided into seven trading zones, which will provide conditions for trading food and non-food goods, various seedlings and plants, agricultural machinery and products, farm animals and poultry," said J. Gulbinovič.
Pedestrian paths and parking lots will also be installed, the area will be paved with concrete blocks, and a new fence will be built.
The municipality aims to have more traders sell their own products at the market, and also wants to encourage them to sell more during the winter. Therefore, it is considering changing the market fees - it is cheaper to rent the trading area during the winter season - from October to May, when the market receives fewer visitors.
According to J. Gulbinovič, the current taxes were approved 13 years ago – in March 2012.
"Significant economic and social changes have occurred during this period, so there is a natural need to review the current pricing system and assess whether it still meets today's realities and future prospects," J. Gulbinovič said in a comment to BNS.
The municipal council will decide on the new rates at its next meeting.
The market renovation project took a long time
The district government aims to renovate the market place by the end of 2020. In August 2021, it announced a preliminary tender for a contractor worth 1,7 million euros. At the time, it was expected that the work would be completed in 2023.
However, according to J. Gulbinovič, the renovation of the marketplace took a long time because additional unforeseen work arose that the previous contractor was unable to implement, so the municipality had to announce a new tender.
"The work is progressing smoothly and is in an active stage," said a municipal spokeswoman.
According to her, the total value of the market renovation has increased to more than 2,5 million euros as a result.
Author Lukas Juozapaitis
