Press Releases
Year 2002
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28 Mar 2002
Opening of Wan Chai Neighbourhood Centre
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) has set up neighbourhood centres in Wan Chai, Tai Kok Tsui and Sham Shui Po to tie in with the implementation of early launch projects in these districts and to strengthen communication with the local communities. A neighbourhood centre is first opened in Wan Chai today (28 March), acting as a bridge between the affected residents and the Authority. Today's opening ceremony was officiated by URA Chairman Dr Lau Wah-sum and Wan Chai District Council Chairperson and URA District Advisory Committee Chairperson Mrs Peggy Lam. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Lau said the neighbourhood centres served as effective channels through which the front-line staff of Authority could provide prompt assistance to residents. Mrs Lam said the setting up of neighbo
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28 Mar 2002
Property acquisition of three early projects
The implementation of the three early launch redevelopment projects in Sham Shui Po, Tai Kok Tsui and Wan Chai has moved a major step forward today (28 March 2002) with the issue of offer letters by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to the owners concerned to purchase their properties by private agreements. Earlier, the Board of the URA has decided to adopt the Government policy of a seven-year-old flat as the basis for calculating the Home Purchase Allowance (HPA) payable to domestic owners. (See details in attached handout). The Authority estimates that about $1 billion will be spent on acquiring properties in the three projects. Total project costs (including development costs, interest, professional fees, etc) are about $2.6 billion. "The direct investment in the projects, toget
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14 Mar 2002
Tender panel for three URA projects
The Board of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (14 March) approved the establishment of a tender panel and its terms of reference for implementing the Tsuen Wan Town Centre, Yeung Uk Road and Ka Wai Man Road projects. The panel will make recommendations to the URA Board on the shortlist of companies for invitation of tenders, the principal tender terms, the assessment criteria and the evaluation and award of tenders. The Authority earlier invited expressions of interest from the market and received very good response. A total of 29 companies indicated their interest in the three projects. The Authority is now in the process of finalising the basic terms of the tenders for these projects with a view to inviting competitive tenders as soon as possible. On the three early proje
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9 Feb 2002
URA approved maintenance cost reimbursement scheme
The Board of the Urban Renewal Authority today (9 February) approved in principle a proposed trial scheme for Maintenance Cost Reimbursement for property owners affected by land acquisition in its early launch projects at Wan Chai, Tai Kok Tsui and Sham Shui Po. Describing the scheme as strictly ex-gratia in nature, an URA spokesperson said it was adopted to promote and encourage proper maintenance of buildings before redevelopment in order to ensure safety. The scheme will apply to registered owners whose properties are located within the three projects, who have agreed to sell their properties to the URA. The scheme will apply to works undertaken in response to statutory orders for maintenance and repairs made under the Buildings Ordinance, the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Or
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9 Feb 2002
Social Service Teams' contracts signed
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Saturday) announced that it has initialled service agreements with three non-government organisations (NGOs) for the setting up of urban renewal social service teams to provide assistance and counselling service for residents affected by its early projects in Wan Chai, Tai Kok Tsui and Sham Shui Po. The URA signed the two-year contracts with the Methodist Centre, The Salvation Army and Christian Family Service Centre, which would commence on 18 February 2002. The annual funding for operating each social service team includes a fixed lump sum fee of $600,000 and a ceiling cost of $100,000 for programme-related expenses. The Methodist Centre will operate a social service team in Wan Chai, while The Salvation Army and Christian Family Service Cent
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31 Jan 2002
URA submits draft Corporate Plan early next week
The Board of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (31 January) resolved to submit the URA's draft five-year Corporate Plan and Business Plan to the Financial Secretary early next week. At today's meeting, Members decided that it should be forwarded to the Financial Secretary for consideration after careful and thorough deliberations on the proposals. The URA will continue to work closely with the Government to take the Corporate Plan forward. The Board also endorsed the appointment of three social service teams to provide assistance and counselling services to residents affected by URA's three early projects in Sham Shui Po Tai Kok Tsui and Wan Chai. They reviewed the recommendation report of a selection panel of the Community Affairs and Public Relations Committee set up to co
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11 Jan 2002
The URA unveils first batch of projects
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today announced the implementation of three redevelopment projects, the first batch of a massive programme the URA has undertaken to improve the old urban area of Hong Kong. The three projects are Cherry Street in Tai Kok Tsui, Fuk Wing Street/Fuk Wa Street in Sham Shui Po and Johnston Road in Wan Chai. It is estimated that some 3,000 people, involving 1,100 households will be affected by these projects. Outlining details of the redevelopment programme at a media briefing, URA Managing Director Mr Billy Lam said the URA was established to take forward a comprehensive and holistic approach in urban renewal in Hong Kong. "With support from Government and co-operation from business partners, stakeholders and the affected community, the URA will work h
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8 Jan 2002
The URA meets residents' representatives on urban redevelopment
Over 40 residents' representatives of major redevelopment areas throughout the territory met the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) management this (Tuesday) afternoon to exchange views on urban renewal. Welcoming residents at the meeting, URA Managing Director Mr Billy Lam said the URA would strive to achieve its mandate, which included redevelopment, revitalisation, preservation and rehabilitation in partnership with the community. He said the URA attached great importance to the views of residents and would strengthen its tie with the local community through district advisory committees and social services teams. At the meeting, a wide range of issues were raised and discussed, including project implementation timetable, compensation and rehousing arrangements. Picture shows Mr Lam an
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7 Jan 2002
Urban Renewal Authority set up Four District Advisory Committees
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) announced today (January 7) the formation of four District Advisory Committees (DAC). Over 40 residents, district dignitaries and professionals/academics have been appointed to these DACs to offer advice to the Authority with a view to facilitating the smooth implementation of projects in the districts. In line with the demarcation of district administration, the URA Board has decided to set up seven DACs covering all urban districts and Tsuen Wan, an URA spokesperson said. To tie in with the development progress of urban renewal projects, the URA will first set up DACs in Wan Chai, Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong and Central and Western districts. The major responsibilities of these committees are to advise on issues relating to urban renewal, including