Kai Tak 100 billion plan to complete 12 years

(Sing Tao Daily reported) from the airport, has been left empty after the removal of the Kai Tak development sites, a formal three-year implementation phase of the development of a total of twelve years, the total cost of more than 100 billion yuan. The first phase of four years, mainly at government facilities, public housing and the first berth of the cruise terminal; and private commercial and residential land, the earliest in the year 2013 into the application list, while sitting on the Kai Tak Seaview runway in low-density residential projects, expected to be completed after twelve years. The expected start of this year's "first project" could create 1500 jobs.

Kai Tak Development planning blueprint adopted by the Executive Council last year, the current site sorting and cleaning, Civil Engineering and Development Department has also undertaken a number of engineering feasibility study. According to the Council yesterday, the latest development timetable, covering over 320 hectares of the Kai Tak Development Area, the development plan be divided into three stages, respectively by year 2013, 2016 and 2021 as the target completion year.

Cruise terminal and the first school building

Cost of 15 billion dollar in the first phase of works will start this year, including the construction of the runway before the first cruise terminal berth and parks, will in the north apron construction of two primary schools, one middle school, a government 13000 Offices and public housing units and is expected to be completed year 2013.

The earliest at year 2013, allocated location in the north apron part of the land for developers to construct residential and commercial buildings. Year development project, including the construction of a second cruise terminal berth, heliport and a large tourist center.

Kai Tak Nullah in the second phase is expected to "Magic Trick", the intention is open channel landscape, the region's tourist attractions; will appear in Kowloon City and San Po Kong, the construction of two underground street to link the old Kai Tak and flow.

The construction of residential and commercial property within five years

The final stage of works will be completed year 2021, including former airport runway was built in low-density residential and Metro Park, but as a regional landmark and one of the multi-purpose stadium, is tentatively scheduled to start year 2013, completed in 2018.

Kai Tak development plan of the overall cost will be more than 100 billion yuan, the Council will in the second quarter of the Legislative Council for funding to carry out the first seven projects are expected to create 1,500 jobs. Development Bureau spokesman said that as long piling public housing sites, coupled with the early completion of the industry hope that the cruise terminal, which was shown to proceed with the project.

Industry hoping for new development

He also pointed out that to be "road, drainage, water" and other infrastructure projects are completed, so the fastest time has come to year 2013, is located in the northeast apron residential and commercial land was the first "ready" for developers construction of buildings. But he stressed that the land will actually put in the Application List, will depend on the developer's application list will desire.

Early run for Kai Tak stadium

From: Standard Post

The government is pushing ahead by five years the estimated completion of the proposed HK$2 billion 45,000-seat multi-purpose stadium at the former Kai Tak airport site.
While in line with Chief Executive Donald Tsang's recent pledge to kickstart long stagnating plans, the move has aroused concern that rushing the project might lead to another West Kowloon- type imbroglio.

Eddie Poon, principal assistant secretary for Home Affairs, disclosed Tuesday the stadium, which is expected to break ground in 2008, might be completed as early as 2010. Poon did not say what might happen to the Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po other than highlighting "it had a lot of limitations" that led to "a low usage rate."

But, as revealed by The Standard in October, the site will be sold off for luxury residential development, with the earnings earmarked for the new "Sports City" concept envisioned by Tsang, who wants to turn Kai Tak into a world- class sports venue.

This was hinted at by Poon, who noted that in the ongoing consultation on the 133-hectare former airport site, a majority of those who gave their views were in support of a mildly populated sports-focused development.

The consultation, which began in October and ends later this month, put forward three concept plans.

While all three plans included a stadium complex, a cruise terminal and a waterfront promenade, two proposals laid a greater emphasis on commercial and residential development, allotting housing for up to 128,000 people.

In what the government labeled the "Sports by the Harbour" plan, only 69,000 people will live around a 24-hectare stadium complex, which will feature a world-class venue - likely covered by a retractable roof - a 5,000-seat supplementary sports ground and an indoor sports complex with swimming pools for daily recreational use.

But critics worry that laying a timetable for a project that has yet to be drawn up or receive the public's tacit approval risks igniting the kind of explosive opposition that has so far held down plans for the West Kowloon cultural district.

Vincent Ng, chairman of the government appointed Harbourfront Enhancement Committee's harbor plan review sub-committee, shares those fears.

He warned: "Being so hurried, the government will not have time to think and plan thoroughly."

Kwok Ka-ki, medical sector lawmaker and spokesman for Action Group for Protection of the Harbour, contended that the government has not granted enough time for the Legislative Council to discuss the proposals.

He said this is despite the fact that many lawmakers have expressed reservations that all three concept plans include the stadium.

Kwok also questioned whether Hong Kong needs a world-class stadium, which, he fears, might become a "white elephant" like the HK$1 billion venue in So Kon Po. The stadium, which was completed in 1994, hosts only a few high-profile events because of severe noise restrictions.

"What we need is sports training and development," he said.

Critics also wonder why the rushed project will not be completed in time to host the 2009 East Asian Games.

Patrick Lau, Architectural, Surveying and Planning sector legislator and vice chairman of the Town Planning Board, called the mistiming "strange," "paradoxical," and "not ideal."

Lau also hoped that there will be more consultation on whether a stadium is best suited for Kai Tak, which is slated for tens of thousands of residents.

The administration has been under pressure to provide new facilities for elite athletes as a result of the decision to close Sha Tin's Hong Kong Sports Institute to make way for equestrian events, which will be held here as part of the 2008 Olympics.

The Kai Tak site, which currently houses a small golf course and a mountain of landfill, has been largely unused since the airport moved to Chek Lap Kok in July 1998 and its fate has been debated for years.

A plan to use it for a vast sports complex has been discussed since the city first decided to move the airport in the early 1990s.

Poon said in the next six months the government will study financing, operations, and design issues.

Kai Tak Airport New development Plan

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