THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has approved the Request for Concept and Quotation from Consultant (RFQCQ) for the Campbell Street Market conservation project.
Its mayor Datuk A. Rajendran explained that its initial proposal to expand the current two-storey building to four or five-storey building had to be reconsidered due to its proximity to the core zone of the George Town World Heritage Site.
The Department of National Heritage, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and the Unesco World Heritage Centre expressed concerns about potential adverse effects on the heritage area if the project proceeded.
As the building is located just outside the core zone of the George Town World Heritage Site, the Department of National Heritage has advised MBPP to reconsider the project, which may impact the heritage area in the vicinity.
When the proposal was shared with ICOMOS and the Unesco World Heritage Centre, the two bodies were also of the same view as the Department of National Heritage.
“When they advised us, we accepted it willingly and have decided to no longer pursue this project.
“Instead, we have approved the RFQCQ for a scaled-down project, aiming to prepare another design which can have a lesser impact on the heritage area,” Rajendran said during a press conference at City Hall after convening an ordinary MBPP meeting today.
On another matter, MBPP plans to revitalise the unused building next to the Taman Kristal Apartment at Lengok Erskine in Tanjung Tokong.
After three unsuccessful Request For Proposal attempts, Rajendran said MBPP will call for a fresh RFP process to enhance the site and make way for hawkers to operate their businesses.
“The current space can accommodate 47 hawker stalls and 29 parking spaces.
“Once we have a successful RFP and if at all the party involved would like to demolish and rebuild on the existing lot, the idea is warmly welcomed.
“The whole idea is to ensure this facility, at the end of the day, is used to benefit the community here, especially hawkers to generate income,” Rajendran added.
During the same meeting, MBPP also approved the proposal to establish a ‘Pet-Friendly Park’ on a lot near Padang Polo at Taman Scotland in George Town.
To be exact, Rajendran said the lot is located just opposite the Caring Society Complex (the corner leading to Scotland Road).
“We want to create an environment that will enable pet owners to bring their pets for walks instead of having them tied up at home for a long time.
“This way, we can ensure that the activities can be carried out in a rather safe environment,” Rajendran said.
Meanwhile, during the press conference, he also mentioned that UN-Habitat will be contributing US$3.525 million to MBPP to implement relevant projects to address the ongoing climate change issue.
Rajendran highlighted the melting Arctic and Antarctica as worrying and alarming, stating that if the temperature increases 1.5 degrees Celsius or more, it will only lead to bigger and more catastrophic events.
“Given this global warming threat, UN-Habitat is determined to promote programmes that will help reduce the heat across the world, namely by encouraging nations to plant more trees, building wider walkways for people to reduce using vehicles, encouraging the use of public transport, building more pocket parks and others.
“We look forward to the fund allocation to kickstart several climate-change-related projects in early next year,” he added.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar