After being unused and functioning as a parking lot for several years, the Morris Hedstrom site in Labasa is set for a major redevelopment. The Labasa Town Council has officially approved plans for a new shopping mall, marking a significant advancement in the area’s commercial scene.
The Morris Hedstrom building, once a vibrant retail center, was destroyed by a fire 15 years ago. Since then, the location has remained abandoned, with only the remnants of the former structure as a note of its past.
Residents and business owners have awaited a decision on the revitalization of this important site for years. Labasa Town Council special administrator Samu Ligairi announced that the plans for the new shopping mall have received approval.
“This is why you see the area now being cordoned off,” Mr. Ligairi stated. He mentioned that the multi-million dollar development is a project by Carpenters, the parent company of Morris Hedstrom.
“We are thrilled to see this key location being transformed into a modern shopping complex,” he added. The project is expected to create numerous job opportunities and stimulate the local economy.
“Construction is set to commence soon, with preliminary work already in progress.”