THE AU5 food court in Lembah Keramat, Selangor, which was badly damaged by fire two years ago, is set for a RM3.5mil rebuild.
The fire in July 2024 destroyed eight stalls and damaged about 80% of the building in Jalan AU5, although no injuries were reported.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) said it had finalised the designs for the new food court, with works expected to start before the end of the year.
After operating from makeshift stalls near the old site, the traders are now looking forward to moving back once the new food court is completed.
Trader Nur Hakimi Mat said the makeshift site was not ideal, especially when it rained.
“We only have tents which tend to leak during downpours. Our prepared food also goes to waste as customers would not want to stop here,” he said.
He added that the old food court had been a popular spot among locals, although it needed upgrading even before the fire.
Regular visitor Ahmad Zolkepli Abdul Rahman said a new food court with a modern design would help bring back customers.
“This has always been a familiar spot for people in the neighbourhood.
“It would be good to see it rebuilt and bustling with activity again.
“Hopefully, the new food court will be able to accommodate more traders and offer customers more options.”
Meanwhile, MPAJ deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari said with the allocation through the Housing and Local Government Ministry, construction was expected to start by this month or the next.
“The design for the new food court has been finalised, and the rebuilding work is expected to take about a year,” he told StarMetro.
Hasrolnizam said existing traders would be allowed to continue operating at a designated temporary site throughout the construction period.
“We have made early arrangements with the traders, and they will continue to operate at the temporary site that has been provided,” he said.
He said separate access routes and safety measures would be put in place, while hoarding would be installed around the construction site to separate it from the temporary trading area.
Hasrolnizam said the rebuilt food court would feature a more modern design and provide improved facilities for the surrounding community.
Twelve traders affected by the fire at Medan Selera AU5 previously received RM8,000 each from Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari from his unused Gombak MP salary contributed to a community fund.
The affected traders were also allowed to continue operating at the existing site while awaiting reconstruction of the food court.
