0 Solo to revitalize traditional flea market

The Surakarta administration will revitalize the old Elpabes traditional flea market in Banjarsari and turn it into a tourism destination in the city. Surakarta Market Management Agency head Subagyo said on Thursday that his agency would start the renovation of the market, which sells many secondhand electronic devices and clothes, at the end of January. Subagyo said the city, located in Central Java and popularly known as Solo, had allocated Rp 9 billion (US$932,700) to the project. 

The funds are part of the city’s Rp 27 billion regional budget dedicated to the improvement of traditional markets. “We hope that the new face of Elpabes market can become a new tourism destination like the city's two other traditional markets,” Subagyo said, referring to the Triwindu and Gedhe markets. Subagyo said the revitalization would include the construction of a new basement and parking space, as well as electronic service kiosks. However, he was convinced that the new, modern design would still represent Surakarta's culture. The renovation of the Elpabes market will be the first for the market since its original construction in the 1980s. Currently the market, home of 202 vendors, has a bad sanitation system and leaking roofs. (cor)

source : the jakarta post