Press Releases
Year 2009
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29 May 2009
URA starts the third redevelopment project in Ma Tau Kok
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) commenced today (Friday) the statutory planning procedures for a new redevelopment project at San Shan Road and Pau Chung Street in Ma Tau Kok, the third in the district, to help improve the living environment of about 134 households. In addition to the significant progress over the years on its building rehabilitation programme in the district, the URA announced last year the implementation of the first batch of redevelopment projects in the district, namely the Chi Kiang Street/Ha Heung Road and Pak Tai Street/Mok Cheong Street projects. Speaking at an operational briefing for the new project, Director (Acquisition & Clearance) of the URA, Mr Joseph Lee, said: "The project demonstrates the commitment of the URA to rejuvenate and give an impetus to f
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22 May 2009
Planning for environmentally sustainable future
The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), Mr Barry Cheung, today (Friday) officiated at the opening of a seminar entitled "Green Homes: Building an Environmentally Sustainable Future for Hong Kong". The seminar, with overseas and local prominent experts taking part, is staged to arouse public awareness of protecting the environment. It is hoped that through the interactive dialogues initiated in the seminar, the community could be encouraged to adopt more environmentally-friendly property planning and development practices, striving for continuous improvement and making contribution to sustainable future for Hong Kong. About 300 people attended the seminar today. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Cheung expressed concern
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11 May 2009
URA Policy on Environmental Sustainability
The Board of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Monday) endorsed a comprehensive policy on environmental sustainability to formalize and enhance its commitment to fostering a quality living environment in Hong Kong. This policy will be applicable to its future urban renewal initiatives. The Lee Tung Street project in Wan Chai will be the first one implementing this enhanced policy. Speaking at a media briefing on the enhanced policy, the Chairman of the URA, Mr Barry Cheung, said: "I hope that this policy, which has grown out of URA's environmental initiatives to date, references to overseas experience, relevant existing environmental technology and advice from consultants, will arouse public awareness of protecting the environment. In doing so, we aim to set an example for the
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4 May 2009
Invitation to Tender for Lee Tung Street / McGregor Street Project in Wan Chai
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Monday) invited a total of 15 property developers/consortia to tender for the joint development of the Lee Tung Street/McGregor Street project in Wan Chai. The project covers a site area of about 88,500 square feet. Upon completion, it is expected to deliver a maximum gross floor area of about 835,000 square feet for residential and commercial uses, together with public open space, a residential care home for the elderly and conservation of three historical buildings. The Lee Tung Street/McGregor Street project is one of the key URA projects in Wan Chai, which incorporates redevelopment, conservation and revitalisation elements. The project will feature some "Wedding City" themed shops and a wedding traditions and culture gallery in the three
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30 Mar 2009
Kwun Tong project achieves good acquisition records
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) has acquired 1,088 property interests, or about 66 percent of the total 1,653 property interests, for the implementation of the Kwun Tong Town Centre project when the 90-day offer period lapsed today (Monday). Director of Acquisition and Clearance of the URA, Mr Joseph Lee, said: "We are pleased with the progress of the acquisition made so far, which demonstrates the enthusiastic support and co-operation of the property owners in taking off the project. It also shows that the offer price of the URA is fair and reasonable." Describing the overall acquisition rate for the project as encouraging, Mr Lee noted that the figure for owner-occupiers of domestic properties alone is 97 percent. "After all, owner-occupiers are generally anxious to improve thei
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24 Mar 2009
Result of Expression of Interest in URA's Lee Tung Street / McGregor Street Project in Wan Chai
In response to media enquiries today (Tuesday) on the result of the expression of interest exercise for the Lee Tung Street/McGregor Street joint development project in Wan Chai, a spokesman of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) said that a total of 15 submissions have been received. A tender review panel under the URA Board will shortlist the qualified parties and invite them to submit a formal tender for the joint development. It is expected that the tender exercise will take place in the near future. The project covers a site area of about 88,500 square feet and upon completion, is expected to deliver a maximum gross floor area of about 835,000 square feet for residential and commercial uses, together with public open spaces, a residential care home for the elderly and conservation
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10 Mar 2009
Invitation for Expression of Interest - Lee Tung Street / McGregor Street Project in Wan Chai
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) has decided to freshly invite interested parties to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in the joint development of Lee Tung Street/McGregor Street project in Wan Chai beginning tomorrow (Wednesday). A spokesperson for the URA said: "In view of the recent changes in the market environment, we deem it appropriate to invite interested parties to submit EOIs afresh for the project since the last exercise was done quite a while ago." The URA last invited EOIs for the project on 14 August 2008 and 15 submissions were received when the invitation closed on 26 September 2008. The project covers a site area of about 88,500 square feet and upon completion, is expected to deliver a maximum gross floor area of about 835,000 square feet for residential and co
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25 Feb 2009
URA supports government measures to create job opportunities
The Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), Mr Barry Cheung Chun-yuen, today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement of a package of government measures to boost job opportunities by the Financial Secretary in his 2009-2010 Budget Speech at the Legislative Council. In particular, the URA fully supports the "Operation Building Bright" campaign to be jointly funded and implemented by the Government, the URA and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) so as to create more job opportunities for the construction industry in the shortest period of time possible. "As a principal facilitator of urban regeneration in Hong Kong, the URA shares the objectives of these special measures and will put in resources needed to encourage more old flats owners to take part in building rehabilitation work
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20 Jan 2009
Plan to preserve historical character of Wing Woo Grocery in place
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Tuesday) announced that a comprehensive plan is in place to preserve the character of the renowned Wing Woo Grocery which has been in business for over 80 years at the ground floor of 120 Wellington Street, Central. The store operator will close down his business this Friday. The Wing Woo Grocery is located at the Peel Street/Graham Street redevelopment project of the URA. The URA has extended an invitation to the store operator to continue his business in the shop until redevelopment takes place by paying the existing rent and at the 'Old Shop Street' to be set up in the new development. However, the operator declined the invitation because of his advanced age and decided to retire happily with the compensation offered by the URA. "We fully