<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"></TD><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgF noWrap align=right width="1%">From: </TD><TD class=msgFname noWrap width="68%">kojakbt22 <NOBR>
</NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate noWrap align=right width="30%">Apr-4 9:41 pm </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT noWrap align=right width="1%" height=20>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname noWrap width="68%">ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft width="1%" rowSpan=4> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>10825.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Sengkang folk worried over high wet-market bid
</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- headline one : end --></TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- Author --></TD></TR><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Huang Huifen
</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- show image if available --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->One wet market-cum-food centre has set off a worried buzz among Sengkang residents.
Expected to be completed late next year, the 4,000-sq m complex is sited opposite the Sengkang MRT/LRT station and bus interchange.
The buzz is over the $500,100 per month bid that won the tender.
Housewife Cyndi Lee, 33, said she was surprised to learn last Monday that the Housing Board had awarded the tender to Renaissance Properties for that sum.
'With such a high tender, food prices might become very expensive,' said the Sengkang resident of four years.
Three residents have written to MP Charles Chong of Punggol-Pasir Ris GRC to voice similar concerns. 'Residents will be hit by the high product and service costs. Will neighbouring food courts follow suit in charging higher prices too?' said resident Samuel Eio, 37, in his e-mail to Mr Chong.
Renaissance Properties, a subsidiary of foodcourt chain Kopitiam, outbid 24 others for the contract.
The second-highest bidder, Sembawang New Market, tendered at $256,788. It runs three wet markets - in Simei, Serangoon and Sembawang - and has been in the business for more than 20 years.
The tenancy is for a maximum of 15 years, with an option to renew every five years. The site will have an estimated 40 market stalls selling fresh produce, 10 stalls selling dried goods and groceries, and 50 cooked-food stalls.
This is the first time the HDB has let out land for a private operator to build, manage and operate a standalone and naturally ventilated market and food centre. HDB said Sengkang was selected because it is a new town and many residents have asked for additional market and food centres.
However, industry sources told The Sunday Times that, with such a high bid, Kopitiam may have to charge rent as high as $8,000 a month to cover the operating cost.
Chinese evening paper Shin Min Daily News reported that the building cost of a market-cum- food centre ranges from $5 million to $7 million. The average monthly rent for a wet market stall is around $2,000, it said.
The average monthly rent of cooked-food stalls, depending on location, ranges from $1,000 to $4,000, said the president of Bedok North 216 Food Centre and Market Hawkers' Association, Mr Goh Ah Kee.
In reply to queries from The Sunday Times, the HDB said prices are determined by the private operators and it is in their own interest to price their food and goods affordably.
Mr Chong said: 'I hate to think of a situation when the prices are too high to patronise and both sides lose. Residents don't get their services and the operators go bankrupt. But whether it will succeed or not, it is yet to be seen.'
Kopitiam declined to comment.
<!-- end of for each --><!-- Current Ratings : start --><!-- Current Ratings : end --><!-- vbbintegration : start --><!---vbbTime (Thread ID: 18488) - Start : Sun, 5 Apr 2009 05:32:37:656---><TABLE cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE id=story_comments cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR id=comments_body><TD colSpan=2><TABLE cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=heading>Latest comments</TD></TR><TR><TD id=messageDisplayRegion width="100%"><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE class=Post style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>I had a bad memory about 5 years ago when a can of coca-cola was selling at $1 to $1.20 at most coffee-shop but there was one ordinary coffee-shop I bought from charged me $1.40 a can. I asked why so much higher and he told me "rent is high, no choice".
I have come to conclusion that HDB estate food prices can be more expensive than those around CBD area hawker and coffee-shop. I now eat breakfast inside CBD with nicer fitting and air-conditioned for the same or cheaper price than those at HDB.
It is all about money. Even community centres have fast-food restaurants paying good rental but come with it very unhealthy food. .......SAD
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: newsstorm at Sun Apr 05 11:11:02 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE class=AlternatePost style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>the winning bid is twice the amount from the second highest bid. it's a a valid concern for the residents. the yellow pages concept is taken out of context into residential estates. It's quite clear HDB and JTC operates on 'best offer'. other cause or effects are immaterial. but it's quite surprising to note that the MP has a hands-off attitude on this matter citing market force. marketing is part and parcel of every homemakers life.doesn't he know that heartland wet markets are a central meeting point for heartlanders where brief exchanges on govt. policies takes place.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: coffeeshoptalk at Sun Apr 05 10:04:10 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE class=Post style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Sheep hair grow on sheep body. High wet market bid = high food prices. Sengkang is going up market.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: SeenItAll at Sun Apr 05 09:23:23 SGT 2009
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</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- headline one : end --></TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- Author --></TD></TR><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Huang Huifen
</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- show image if available --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->One wet market-cum-food centre has set off a worried buzz among Sengkang residents.
Expected to be completed late next year, the 4,000-sq m complex is sited opposite the Sengkang MRT/LRT station and bus interchange.
The buzz is over the $500,100 per month bid that won the tender.
Housewife Cyndi Lee, 33, said she was surprised to learn last Monday that the Housing Board had awarded the tender to Renaissance Properties for that sum.
'With such a high tender, food prices might become very expensive,' said the Sengkang resident of four years.
Three residents have written to MP Charles Chong of Punggol-Pasir Ris GRC to voice similar concerns. 'Residents will be hit by the high product and service costs. Will neighbouring food courts follow suit in charging higher prices too?' said resident Samuel Eio, 37, in his e-mail to Mr Chong.
Renaissance Properties, a subsidiary of foodcourt chain Kopitiam, outbid 24 others for the contract.
The second-highest bidder, Sembawang New Market, tendered at $256,788. It runs three wet markets - in Simei, Serangoon and Sembawang - and has been in the business for more than 20 years.
The tenancy is for a maximum of 15 years, with an option to renew every five years. The site will have an estimated 40 market stalls selling fresh produce, 10 stalls selling dried goods and groceries, and 50 cooked-food stalls.
This is the first time the HDB has let out land for a private operator to build, manage and operate a standalone and naturally ventilated market and food centre. HDB said Sengkang was selected because it is a new town and many residents have asked for additional market and food centres.
However, industry sources told The Sunday Times that, with such a high bid, Kopitiam may have to charge rent as high as $8,000 a month to cover the operating cost.
Chinese evening paper Shin Min Daily News reported that the building cost of a market-cum- food centre ranges from $5 million to $7 million. The average monthly rent for a wet market stall is around $2,000, it said.
The average monthly rent of cooked-food stalls, depending on location, ranges from $1,000 to $4,000, said the president of Bedok North 216 Food Centre and Market Hawkers' Association, Mr Goh Ah Kee.
In reply to queries from The Sunday Times, the HDB said prices are determined by the private operators and it is in their own interest to price their food and goods affordably.
Mr Chong said: 'I hate to think of a situation when the prices are too high to patronise and both sides lose. Residents don't get their services and the operators go bankrupt. But whether it will succeed or not, it is yet to be seen.'
Kopitiam declined to comment.
<!-- end of for each --><!-- Current Ratings : start --><!-- Current Ratings : end --><!-- vbbintegration : start --><!---vbbTime (Thread ID: 18488) - Start : Sun, 5 Apr 2009 05:32:37:656---><TABLE cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE id=story_comments cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR id=comments_body><TD colSpan=2><TABLE cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=heading>Latest comments</TD></TR><TR><TD id=messageDisplayRegion width="100%"><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE class=Post style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>I had a bad memory about 5 years ago when a can of coca-cola was selling at $1 to $1.20 at most coffee-shop but there was one ordinary coffee-shop I bought from charged me $1.40 a can. I asked why so much higher and he told me "rent is high, no choice".
I have come to conclusion that HDB estate food prices can be more expensive than those around CBD area hawker and coffee-shop. I now eat breakfast inside CBD with nicer fitting and air-conditioned for the same or cheaper price than those at HDB.
It is all about money. Even community centres have fast-food restaurants paying good rental but come with it very unhealthy food. .......SAD
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: newsstorm at Sun Apr 05 11:11:02 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE class=AlternatePost style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>the winning bid is twice the amount from the second highest bid. it's a a valid concern for the residents. the yellow pages concept is taken out of context into residential estates. It's quite clear HDB and JTC operates on 'best offer'. other cause or effects are immaterial. but it's quite surprising to note that the MP has a hands-off attitude on this matter citing market force. marketing is part and parcel of every homemakers life.doesn't he know that heartland wet markets are a central meeting point for heartlanders where brief exchanges on govt. policies takes place.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: coffeeshoptalk at Sun Apr 05 10:04:10 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE class=Post style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Sheep hair grow on sheep body. High wet market bid = high food prices. Sengkang is going up market.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: SeenItAll at Sun Apr 05 09:23:23 SGT 2009
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