URA commences second industrial building redevelopment pilot scheme project in Cheung Sha Wan
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Friday) announced the commencement of an industrial building redevelopment project in Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, the second of its pilot scheme after the kick-off of the first one in Kennedy Town of Central & Western District last October.
At a media briefing to outline details of the project, Director (Acquisition and Clearance - Industrial Buildings) of the URA, Mr Joseph Lee, said the second project under the pilot scheme would see the industrial building be redeveloped into an office premises.
"As the proposed office use is in conformity with the statutory zoning for this area, property acquisition for redevelopment can start right away as soon as it has gone through the necessary planning procedures and obtained authorisation from the Government," said Mr Lee.
"The URA is committed to helping the Government better utilise the land resources in Hong Kong to meet the changing economic and social needs. After the implementation of the pilot scheme, the URA will assist the Government to review its experience and situation on the level of its long-term commitment on the redevelopment of industrial buildings," he added.
In accordance with Section 23(1) of the Urban Renewal Authority Ordinance (URAO), a URA notice announcing the commencement of the pilot scheme project is published in the Gazette today.
The industrial building is situated at 777-783 Yu Chau West Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon. Built in 1962, the 10-storey industrial building occupied a site area of about 1,393 square metres. It is estimated that the project is going to affect a total of 40 property interests and some 40 business operators and premises.
Findings of a building conditions survey showed that the building is varied and unauthorised structures can also be found.
Also attending the media briefing today, General Manager (Planning and Design), Mr Lawrence Mak, said the site has been zoned for "Other Specified Uses ("OU") annotated "Business" in the relevant statutory plan, intended primarily for general business/ office use.
He noted that the URA's initial proposal is to redevelop the site to provide about 16,700 square meters of office and retail floor space. It is tentatively scheduled for completion by 2019/2020.
According to Director (Property & Land) of the URA, Mr William Wan, the total development cost is estimated to reach about $1,700 million based on the initial valuation conducted in October 2012. This cost will change with the market when the URA is ready to make acquisition offers after obtaining the approval by the Secretary for Development.
As from today, a two-month publication period will begin under Section 23 (3) of the URAO. Within the period, a site plan delineating the boundary of the project plus a general description will be put on display for public inspection at:
- the URA Headquarters (26/F, COSCO Tower, 183 Queen's Road Central, Central);
- the URA's Sham Shui Po Neighbourhood Centre (G/F, Shop C, 182 Fuk Wa Street, Sham Shui Po); and
- the Public Enquiry Service Centre of the Sham Shui Po District Office (G/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po).
In accordance with the Urban Renewal Strategy, the URA will make the Stage 1 Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report available for public information at the above venues from 18 January 2013. The Stage 2 SIA report will be made available for public information at the above locations from 25 February 2013.
Should there be any written objections to this project received during the two-month publication period, the URA will consider the objections carefully. Included in its submission of the development project to the Secretary for Development for consideration will be the URA's deliberation on the objections, unwithdrawn objections, and an assessment of the likely effect of the implementation of the project, said Mr Mak.
Under Section 24 of the URAO, the Secretary for Development shall then consider the development project and any objections which are not withdrawn and determine whether to authorise, amend or decline to authorise the development project.
If approval is eventually granted by the Secretary for Development, the URA will proceed with acquisition of the properties in accordance with the prevailing acquisition principles.
Mr Wan also briefly explained the acquisition principles and guidelines for industrial building redevelopment pilot scheme projects which have been uploaded onto the URA Website at www.ura.org.hk.
About 30 URA staff members have been deployed to conduct the freezing survey to ascertain the actual number of owners and operators in the project. The URA will arrange a meeting shortly to explain to the public, the affected owners and tenants the planning approval procedure and the acquisition and compensation arrangements for industrial buildings.
An urban renewal social service team staffed by professional social workers of the Salvation Army, which has been appointed by Urban Renewal Fund Limited, will be on site to render assistance. The contact number of the social service team is 3586 3095.Affected occupiers can also visit the URA's Sham Shui Po Neighbourhood Centre in person; or call the URA's Hotline at 2588 2333 for enquiries. Members of the public can also visit the URA Website at www.ura.org.hk for project information.
(ENDS)