AFTER lying idle and serving as a car park for years, the Morris Hedstrom site in Labasa is poised for a significant transformation.
The Labasa Town Council has officially given the greenlight to plans for a new shopping mall, signaling a major development in the area’s commercial landscape.
The Morris Hedstrom building, which was once a bustling retail hub, was destroyed by a fire 15 years ago. Since then, the site has been vacant, with only the remnants of the old structure serving as a reminder of what once was.
Residents and business owners have waited for years for a decision to repurpose this prime location.
Labasa Town Council special administrator Samu Ligairi said the plans for the new shopping mall had been approved.
“This is why you’ve see the area now being cordoned off,” Mr Ligairi said.
He said the multimillion dollar complex is a project by Carpenters, the parent company of Morris Headstrom.
“We are excited to see this important site being developed into a modern shopping complex.”
He said the project would provide numerous job opportunities and boost the local economy.
“Construction is set to begin soon, with preliminary work already under way.”
