For discussion C&W DC Paper No 103/2014

16th Meeting of Central and Western District Council

Report on the projects under the Urban Renewal Authority in the Central & Western District

H18 Peel / Redevelopment Scheme

Graham Street Market Promotion Campaign

• URA Non-executive director Mr Edward Chow, together with C&WDC Chairman Mr Yip Wing-shing JP, HAD C&W District Officer Miss Cheryl Chow JP, Graham Street Market representative Mr Hui Wai-kin and singer Ms Maria Cordero officiated the opening ceremony on 3 September to kick start the 3-week Graham Market Promotion Campaign.

• A total of about 70 hawkers and shop operators participated in the promotion campaign and distributed 6 different souvenirs to customers during the campaign period. Media coverage and advertisements to promote the campaign could be found in the MTR and bus networks; $10 cash coupons were distributed in the MTR magazine “MetroPop” on 4 September and 3 RoadShow videos featuring Ms Maria Cordero cooking and the Graham Market were broadcasted throughout the campaign period. The campaign ended successfully on 26 September 2014.

H18 Site B Progress

• Site B is currently preparing for the carrying out of foundation works, including preparation works for trial pile. The consent to carry out the trial pile will be subjected to BD’s approval. URA will update C&WDC on the construction programme once the foundation works comprehensively commence when more site information can be gathered.

H18 Sites A and C Progress

• To prepare for the land exchange and land grant for Sites A and C, URA had consulted C&WDC on 20 March 2014 regarding the application for road closure and the construction of elevated pedestrian walkway. The road closure gazettal will be published by LandsD and THB targeted in October according to CAP 370 Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance. LandsD will carry out consultations according to the prevailing procedures. Execution of the road closure is targeted to commence by 2016/17.

• Upon the completion of H18 redevelopment scheme, a public open space will be provided across Site A, B and C for public enjoyment, a multi-purpose activities hall with a maximum capacity of 450 people will also be built in Site A and will be managed by the URA as agreed with HAD on 2 September 2014. URA proposed to form a “Multi-purpose Activities Hall Management Community Advisory Committee” comprises local stakeholders like district representatives and C&WDC members, to advise and assist URA in the management and operations of the multi-purpose activities hall. This proposal was reported to C&WC on 9 October 2008 and 29 May 2014.

• In order to minimize the nuisance to the market operation, URA will commence demolition and clearance works portion by portion. URA has obtained approval from Buildings Department for the demolition plan for nos. 1-3 and 29-33 and will shortly commence the relevant hoarding works prior to demolition. URA is preparing other demolition plans of Site A and C for onward submission for approval by Buildings Department.

• URA is currently carrying out drainage diversion and improvement works of the public storm water system at parts of , Wellington Street and Cochrane Street. In order to minimize nuisance to the district, diversion works were carried out in phases as per the approvals/permits issued by different government departments. Regarding the drainage diversion and improvement works at Lyndhurst Terrace/ section commenced earlier in September 2014, since the water supply improvement works on Lyndhurst Terrace by WSD have not been completed, URA will coordinate with WSD to facilitate both WSD’s works and URA’s works. The tentative completion date for this section will be around mid-2015 subject to WSD actual progress. Relevant work progress update was reported to the Traffic and Transport Committee on 11 September 2014.

• Beautification works for the Cochrane Street Sitting-out Area was also commenced in September 2014 in accordance to the design concept presented on 20 March 2014 and supported by the C&WDC. This includes the beautification of road surface and erection of art installations celebrating the history in the vicinity of Cochrane Street. The beautification works will be carried out mainly in two phases. The first phase is expected to complete by the end of 2014 subject to the actual acceptance by government department in the handover inspection.

Wing Lee Street

• The rehabilitation works for properties acquired by the URA at no.3 and 12 Wing Lee Street are almost completed. NGOs who were interested in short-term licensing for these units and also no.5 Wing Lee Street were invited to submit proposals in an open tender exercise. URA accepted the proposals from “The Evangelical Lutheran Church of “ and “Light Be – Light Home”, which provides accommodation for youths in employment training and families with difficulties in finding housing respectively. Both proposals will operate for two years and are expected to begin their services in the 4th quarter of this year.

Western Market

• Regarding the application for 2-year extension for the operation of the Western Market, the application is currently processing by LandsD. The management company of Western Market will hold an exhibition on the development of the Hong Kong cloth trade industry at late 2014. Mr Cheng Po-hung will collaborate with the cloth traders to co-organise the exhibition.

Urban Renewal Authority October 2014