For discussion C&W DC Paper No. 24/2016

1st Meeting of the Central and Western District Council

Progress Report on Urban Renewal Authority’s Projects in

Central & Western District

H18 Peel Street / Redevelopment Scheme

H18 Site B Progress

• In order to maintain the vibrancy of the market, the Authority has proposed to implement the H18 Project in two phases. In response to stakeholders’ requests under the “Local Fresh Food Shop Arrangement” (LFFSA), a Market Block with 12 shops will be provided at Site B as a first phase development, which would facilitate the participants of LFFSA to continue operation of their businesses after completion of the Market Block. Sites A and C will be the second phase of the development.

• In view of the current works progress of the Market Block, it is anticipated for completion around Q1 2016, and an inspection will be carried out after completion. On 9 December 2015, the Authority has informed the 11 participants of the LFFSA the Market Block shops’ starting bidding prices, layouts, sizes, etc. Subject to the works progress, the Authority will invite participants of the LFFSA to a site visit of the Market Block tentatively in February 2016, to provide additional information to participants before the bidding exercise of the shops begins. Details of the bidding exercise of Market Block shops will be elaborated at the C&WDC meeting.

• To enhance the vibrancy of the Market, the Authority has provided assistance and facilitated the early operation of shop businesses which require the mandatory ‘Fresh Provision Shop Licence’ from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), including the hiring of consultants to apply for the FEHD licence at an early stage. Subject to the approving process by the FEHD and renovation arrangements by the shop operators, it is expected the first batch of shops will begin operation in Q2 2016.

H18 Sites A and C Progress

• To minimise disturbance to the market, demolition and clearance works at Sites A and C will be implemented in phases. Demolition works at Nos. 116-118 Wellington Street, Nos. 1-3 , Nos. 2-10 and Nos. 12- 16 Graham Street have been completed. Demolition and associated site works for Nos. 5-9 and Nos. 29-33 Gage Street, Nos. 20-22 Graham Street, Nos. 13-15 Gutzlaff Street, Nos. 21-27 Peel Street, Nos. 16-18 Staveley Street, etc. are currently in progress. Demolition works of the remaining buildings within Sites A and C will commence after the existing shop operators have moved into the Market Block.

• Drainage diversion and improvement works which cover between Gage Street and , Sitting-out Area and Wellington Street between Cochrane Street and Graham Street, were completed in September 2015. Follow-up works is currently being carried out by the contractor and this section of drainage works will be handed over to Drainage Services Department (DSD) for maintenance once the handover inspection by DSD is completed. Beautification works for Cochrane Street Sitting-out Area has been completed and is currently being used by the public. Highway Department is responsible for managing this sitting-out area.

• Although Graham Street Market is not located within the site boundary of the H18 Project, the Authority feels it is important to preserve the street market’s local character. Hence the Authority has in the last few years provided electricity supply installation to some hawkers on Graham and Peel Streets near Site B, and reconstruction of some fixed-pitch hawkers. There are currently approximately 10 eligible hawkers near Sites A and C whom have joined the “Assistance Scheme for Hawkers in Fixed-pitch Hawker Areas” offered by the FEHD for reconstruction of their hawker pitches. However, the amount of reconstruction grant under the Scheme is insufficient to cover the cost of a new hawker pitch. As such, the Authority will appoint a contractor to construct the hawker pitches and provide electricity supply installation after obtaining the consent of the hawkers on the design intent and their authorisation, as well as liaison with FEHD.

• Some members of the community felt that the signage of ‘英記堅炭’ (Ying’s Coal) at No. 21 Peel Street and the bricks structures at the roadside of Cochrane Street are historical/heritage items worthy of preservation. The Authority has considered the Antiquities and Monuments Office’s (AMO) views, and has submitted a proposal to AMO integrating the signage into the future public open space design.

H19 Wing Lee Street/ Project

• Since the building condition of Site B is poor and should be of higher priority for development, the Authority will submit a planning application to the Town Planning Board (TPB) for amendment of the approved Master Layout Plan to allow phased development of the two sites within the project.

• Based on the above, the Authority will submit a planning application for a phased development of the two sites, which allows for flexibility in the provision of available flats in the area. Details of the planning application will be presented to the C&WDC once it is available.

Central Market

• Taking into account the complex construction works of the Approved Scheme of the Central Market, the construction time was estimated to be approximately 8 years. The URA has hence reviewed and fine-tuned the scheme’s construction costs and required works and adopted a simplified approach to implement the revitalization project, which can effectively use public money whilst meeting public aspirations and C&WDC comments, and to expedite the revitalisation scheme for the early usage by the public.

• The revised scheme will involve less structural works and will emphasis on the conservation of Character Defining Elements (CDEs). The scheme will provide 1,000 m² of at-grade public open space at the existing atrium and the entrance plaza facing Queen's Road Central. Existing structures together with some CDEs would be conserved, repaired and upgraded to meet modern building standards/regulations. The completed Project will provide approximately 10,000m² of gross floor area (GFA) for commercial and other uses. In response to public aspirations, openings will be provided on the G/F external walls fronting onto Jubilee Street and Queen Victoria Street to enhance permeability and accessibility.

• The Authority has submitted a planning application to the TPB on 11 December 2015 and will commence the scheme as soon as possible after obtaining various permissions. The project will be tentatively completed by 2020/21.

Western Market

• The Authority has signed an agreement with the Government regarding extension of management of the Western Market until February 2017. Meanwhile, the Authority is closely working with the cloth shop operators to find suitable locations to continue their businesses. For safety reasons, the Authority will remove MTRC’s vent shaft decoration works after obtaining approval from the MTRC. The removal works is tentatively schedule in March 2016.

Urban Renewal Authority January 2016