After standing unused and serving as a parking area for several years, the Morris Hedstrom site in Labasa is set to undergo a significant redevelopment. The Labasa Town Council has officially approved plans for a new shopping mall, marking a major shift in the area’s commercial landscape.
The Morris Hedstrom building, which was once a vibrant retail destination, was destroyed by fire 15 years ago. Since then, the site has remained vacant, with only the remnants of the former structure as a reminder of its past.
Local residents and business owners have long awaited a decision regarding the repurposing of this prime location. Labasa Town Council special administrator Samu Ligairi confirmed the approval of the mall plans.
“This is why you see the area now being cordoned off,” Mr. Ligairi stated. He noted that the multimillion-dollar project is being developed by Carpenters, the parent company of Morris Hedstrom.
“We are excited to see this important site being developed into a modern shopping complex,” he added, highlighting the project’s potential to create job opportunities and stimulate the local economy.
Construction is expected to start soon, with preliminary work already in progress.