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 facelift the whole district where rehabilitation and redevelopment efforts have been going on hand in hand.  Implementation of redevelopment projects will complement the voluntary building rehabilitation efforts initiated by the Authority in the area over the past four years covering some 100 buildings involving over 8,000 flats."

The project area occupies a corner site abutting San Shan Road and Pau Chung Street in Ma Tau Kok, covering an area of about 1,170 m2.  Built in 1957, the buildings within the project area are in a generally dilapidated condition. The buildings are of 6 storeys with no lifts and there are unauthorized structures.

In accordance with section 23 of the Urban Renewal Authority Ordinance, a URA notice announcing the commencement of the project is published in the Gazette today, said Mr Lee.

Within the next two months, plans delineating the boundary of the project plus a general description will be put on display for public inspection at the URA Headquarters (10/F, Low Block, Grand Millennium Plaza, 181 Queen's Road Central, Sheung Wan); the URA's Ma Tau Wai Neighbourhood Centre, Shop A, Ground Floor, 426-430 Ma Tau Wai Road, Kowloon; and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of the To Kwa Wan Sub-office, Kowloon City District Office, Shops 2 and 3, Ground Floor, Jubilant Place, 33 Ma Tau Kok Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon.

In accordance with the Urban Renewal Strategy, the URA will make the detailed Social Impact Assessment report available for public inspection at the above venue from 8 July 2009.

"The URA will then have to consider all written objections received during the two-month consultation period before submitting the development project, together with the URA's deliberation on the objections, unwithdrawn objections, and an assessment of the likely effect of the implementation of the project to the Secretary for Development for consideration," said Mr Lee.

If approval is eventually granted by the Secretary for Development, the URA would proceed with acquisition of the properties and re-housing for the tenants in accordance with the prevailing acquisition and rehousing principles, which are estimated to cost about $279 million at current prices. Adding construction and interest to the budget, the total development cost is estimated to reach $600 million, he said.

The URA's initial proposal is to redevelop the sites to provide about 144 residential units and 18,884 square feet (1,755 square metres) of commercial floor area, scheduled for completion by 2016/2017.

The project affects a total of 83 property interests.  It is estimated that there are about 134 households comprising about 349 residents, but the actual number has yet to be ascertained in a freezing survey conducted by the URA today.

About 50 URA staff members were deployed to conduct the freezing survey to ascertain the actual number of households and the occupancy status. "The URA will arrange briefing sessions shortly to explain to the affected owners and tenants the planning approval procedure and the prevailing acquisition and compensation arrangements," Mr Lee added.

An urban renewal social service team commissioned by the URA and staffed by professional social workers of The Salvation Army will provide counselling and practical assistance that the residents may need. The contact number of the social service team is 3188 2151. Affected residents can also visit the URA's Ma Tau Wai Neighbourhood Centre, Shop A, G/F, 426-430 Ma Tau Wai Road in person or call the URA's Hotline at 2588 2333 for enquiries.

(ENDS)