Press Releases
Year 2004
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16 Mar 2004
Peaceful completion of shop possession at Sham Shui Po project
The court bailiff office completed the execution of possession orders for two shops at the Fuk Wing Street/Fuk Wa Street redevelopment project of the URA today (Tuesday). A spokesman for the URA said the Authority was grateful that the operation has been completed in a relatively peaceful manner and thankful for the self-restraint exercised by all parties concerned. The URA and the Lands Department will continue to negotiate with the two former shop owners on compensation. The URA and its social service team are also prepared to provide the former owners with assistance on any special needs and other related problems.
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3 Mar 2004
Invitation for Expression of Interest for Yeung Uk Road Project
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Wednesday) invited property developers to provide an expression of interest (EOI) for the joint development of the Yeung Uk Road project in Tsuen Wan. The project site, occupying an area of about 77,824 square feet, is a residential and commercial development. The site was earmarked by the Government as a linked site to facilitate the implementation of the Tsuen Wan Town Centre project, which was commenced by the former Land Development Corporation. Parties interested in the Yeung Uk Road project are invited to indicate their competence and financial capability to undertake the development in accordance with the requirements and standards set by the Authority. Submission should be returned to the URA Headquarters at 10/F Low Block, Grand Mill
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27 Feb 2004
Invitation for Expression of Interest for Johnston Road Project
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Friday) invited estate developers to provide an expression of interest (EOI) for the joint development of the Johnston Road project in Wan Chai, the first site successfully cleared since the URA launched its urban renewal programme in March 2002. The project covers a site area of about 21,200 square feet at the junction of Johnston Road and Ship Street, which is a prime location in Wan Chai. It is the first of six project sites for which the URA plans to invite joint venture partnership for development within this year. The project is expected to deliver a commercial podium of about 28,000 square feet and a residential block of about 190,000 square feet floor area upon completion in 2007. The URA's Executive Director of Development and Plan
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20 Jan 2004
URA Wan Chai Office Opens during Lunar New Year
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA)'s neighbourhood office in Wan Chai will remain open during Chinese Lunar New Year to facilitate owners affected by the Lee Tung Street project, whose properties are under acquisition by the URA, to return their letter of acceptance. The Lee Tung Street project in Wan Chai, affecting 647 property interests, is the largest one implemented by the URA so far. Acquisition offers were issued to all the owners on 9 January 2004. "Since then, the Authority has received a number of enquiries from owners who wish to speed up the property transaction process as soon as possible," a spokesman for the URA said. The URA has therefore decided to open the Wan Chai Neighbourhood Centre at G/F Yan Yee Court of 28 Wan Chai Road, during the Chinese New Year between 22
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12 Jan 2004
URA sets milestone in Wan Chai
Regeneration of century-old Wan Chai takes a big step forward today (Monday) as the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) commences demolition work of its first redevelopment project of $917 million worth at Johnston Road. The 22,200-square-foot site at the junction of Johnston Road and Ship Street is the first site successfully cleared since the URA launched its urban renewal programme in March 2002. Today, a group of nostalgic but smiling former residents returned to the site and joined hands with URA officials to perform a ceremony for the demolition of the old buildings to make way for residential and commercial development. But not all the buildings are to be demolished. The URA has decided to preserve five pre-war buildings with special character, including a row of four Cantonese t
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9 Jan 2004
URA issues acquisition offers for Lee Tung Street project
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Friday) issued offer letters to owners of 647 property interests affected by the Lee Tung Street redevelopment project, which is its largest so far, at a total acquisition cost of about $1.55 billion. Affected owner-occupiers of domestic properties will be offered $4,079 per square foot on a saleable area basis. On average, this is about 2.9 times the open market value of the affected domestic properties which, as a whole, have been valued at $1,414 per square foot. Most of the properties are over 40 years old and in a dilapidated condition. The URA's cash offers are based on the Government's Home Purchase Allowance (HPA) policy that links the level of compensation to the open market value of a notional replacement flat of seven years old. A no
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3 Jan 2004
Drawing competition on urban renewal in Wan Chai
Winners of a drawing competition featuring urban renewal of Wan Chai are awarded for their creativity and talent at a prize presentation ceremony today (Saturday). Over 60 primary and junior secondary students earlier demonstrated their flair in a drawing competition jointly organised by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and the Urban Renewal Social Service Team of Methodist Centre to promote public interest in urban renewal. Winning entries of the competition are each awarded with book coupons. Photograph shows Chairperson of the Wan Chai District Advisory Committee of the URA, Mrs Peggy Lam, presenting an award to the 10-year-old champion, Leung Chi Yan.
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31 Dec 2003
Completion of Sheung Wan Fong Project (Phase 1)
市區重建局主席劉華森表示，市建局的基本任務，並非限於拆卸重建，而是將整個舊區改造和活化，令舊區轉化為新動力，居民既可以享受新的環境，區內的經濟亦得以激發新活力。 劉華森今日（星期三）陪同房屋及規劃地政局局長孫明揚，為歷時半年的市建局上環坊舊區更新項目首期工程，主持竣工典禮。他致詞時說，為了舊區的全面改造和活化，市建局將重建、復修、保育和更新四種策略合而為一，在上環舊區首次發揮。 在未來幾年，市建局將會在港九其他目標區，包括灣仔、油麻地、旺角等，舉辦類似的更新和改造工程，為舊區注入新生命力。 劉華森表示，上環是市建局的重點「改造目標區」之一。市建局首先界定上環的中央部份作為「改造目標區」，範圍以市建局兩個已經落成的重建項目為重心，東面是永樂街的新紀元廣場，西面是皇后街的帝后華庭。兩者之間的地段便成為持續性的改造目標區。 「除了西港城的保育和改革，以及正在逐步實現的上環坊更新美化工程之外，下一步的更新地點，包括有燕窩參茸街之稱的南北行，使到帝后華庭、南北行、上環坊和西港城連成一個組合。至於南面的文武廟和古董街地區，將會在適當時候納入更新目標區。市建局亦會在區內物色樓宇復修的項目。」 他同時表示，環境美化的建築工程，只是舊區改造的一部份，更重要的是注入「改造區的管理概念」，集合當地商界的力量，以靈活的手法進行市場推廣及宣傳，持續地激發社區的活力和動力，吸引人流，創造商機；並將收益用作持續管理地區的費用。 竣工典禮包括取出十三年前（一九九○年十二月），西港城首度翻新工程完成後埋下的文物囊；其中載有當年的通勝、日曆、報章及十元紙幣。今日在典禮中加入兩幅寫上「市建維新」及「上下一心」的卷軸，其上載有所有出席嘉賓及市建局董事和職員的簽名。存封後的文物囊已再次埋入西港城地下，以作時間的見證。 「上環坊」計劃全期工程耗資近三千萬元，首期工程主要包括把歷史悠久的
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19 Dec 2003
Warmth and care for elderly and needy families in Central & Western
Warmth and joy filled the hearts of some 100 residents, mostly elderly people in Central & Western District when they are offered woollen blankets to brace up for the cold and chilly weather. Sponsored by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), the event is organised by the Urban Renewal Social Service Team of the St James' Settlement to provide care and assistance to the needy families and elderly people living in Staunton Street / Wing Lee Street and the First Street/Second Street project areas of the Authority. Front-line staff of the URA also helped in giving out woollen blankets to the needy families. Photograph shows Madam Kam, 84, returns the warm gesture with a hearty smile.
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2 Nov 2003
Development Concept Competition for Lee Tung Street/McGregor Street Project
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Sunday) announced a development concept competition inviting visionary and practical ideas from professional planners and architects for its largest-ever urban redevelopment project, the $3.58 billion Lee Tung Street/McGregor Street project in Wan Chai. This is the first time that an open professional competition is held for a major urban redevelopment project in Hong Kong. Up to five prizes will be awarded to the selected entries with each receiving $100,000. The competition covers an area of about two hectares in the old town of Wan Chai that includes the development site of the Lee Tung Street project and its immediate surrounding environment. A five-member adjudicator panel will decide the winning entries. Panel Member, Professor David Lu