Imelda Saad Channel NewsAsia 2 Oct 11;
SINGAPORE: Singapore authorities said they would consider opening part of the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station as an event venue.
Other possibilities include having tours at the site.
This follows some suggestions on how the space could be used in the interim before any development plans are firmed up.
It has been three months since the former Malayan Railway land was handed over to Singapore.
Already, some 40 per cent of railway tracks have been dismantled.
The former workers' quarters are now vacant, and the land around the former Tanjong Pagar railway station left bare.
There has been a series of public consultation on how the area can be best utilised.
Authorities said a draft masterplan on its development is expected to be ready by 2013.
In the interim though, they said there are no plans for any infrastructure development within the area.
Some developers said it may be quite a while -- up to five years -- before any development on the land takes place.
In the interim, they said it makes sense to utilise the space.
Developers said there is not much that can be done with the narrow strip of land along the tracks, but the site of the former Tanjong Pagar railway station offers much potential.
SLP International research & consultancy executive director Nicholas Mak said: "The Tanjong Pagar station and the land around it is actually the jewel in the crown.
"The station itself can be conserved and then it can be used as either a museum or part of a hotel or another commercial development.
"It is easier for authorities to let it out for short-term use, for example, certain historical activities or perhaps even some sort of school activities can be held at railway station.
"Another possibility is to let it out as a restaurant or for people to hold certain special events for example weddings, at the station itself".
Head of Research Consultancy at Chesterton Suntec International Colin Tan said because land is scarce in Singapore, leaving it vacant and barren is the worst thing one can do, unless there are special strategic reasons for leaving it vacant.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) told Channel NewsAsia it would work with relevant authorities to consider suitable uses for the area in the interim.
A URA spokesperson said: "As for the interim use of the Spooner Road apartments (former quarters) and the two railway stations (Bukit Timah Railway Station and Tanjong Pagar Railway Station), URA will work with relevant agencies to consider suitable uses.
"The idea to use part of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station as an event venue and to allow tour groups to visit the building can be considered together with other possible interim uses for the building."
The Singapore Land Authority is also conducting maintenance and structural assessment works at the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.
Meanwhile, the various agencies will carry out surveys of the station buildings to formulate guidelines for their preservation and conservation.
"The return of the former railway land gives the URA a chance to comprehensively review and chart the development plans for the rail corridor and its surrounding areas," the URA spokesperson said.
"Given that the rail corridor runs through many areas and there is widespread public interest on the future use of the former railway land, we will engage the public and interest groups for ideas and suggestions on how the land can be integrated with future developments to enhance our living environment.
"In the interim, sections of the rail corridor will be progressively opened up by the Singapore Land Authority to the public to enjoy as the removal works are completed."
Members of public can give feedback on development plans for the former malayan railway land at http://www.ura.gov.sg/railcorridor/uservoice_landing.html.
There will also be an exhibition -- called 'Re-imagining the Rail Corridor' -- at the URA Centre Gallery, starting Monday till 28 October
The initiative is part of a series of events dedicated to increasing public awareness and deepening understanding of the tract of KTM railway land returned to Singapore.
-CNA/wk
Tours, events being suggested for former railway station land
Imelda Saad Aziz Today Online 3 Oct 11;
SINGAPORE - The authorities have said they would consider opening part of the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station as an event venue, following suggestions on how it could be used in the interim. Other possibilities include having tours at the site.
Some 40 per cent of railway tracks have been dismantled since the former Malayan Railway land was handed over to Singapore three months ago. The former workers' quarters are now vacant and the land around the former railway station left bare.
The authorities said a draft master plan on its development is expected to be ready by 2013 but added there are no plans for any infrastructure development within the area in the interim.
An Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) spokesperson told Channel NewsAsia: "As for the interim use of the Spooner Road apartments (former quarters) and the two railway stations (Bukit Timah Railway Station and Tanjong Pagar Railway Station), URA will work with relevant agencies to consider suitable uses.
"The idea to use part of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station as an event venue and to allow tour groups to visit the building can be considered together with other possible interim uses for the building."
Some developers said it may be quite a while - up to five years - before any development on the land takes place. In the interim, they said it makes sense to utilise the space and the former railway station offers much potential.
SLP International research & consultancy executive director Nicholas Mak said: "The station itself can be conserved and then it can be used as either a museum or part of a hotel or another commercial development.
"Another possibility is to let it out as a restaurant or for people to hold certain special events for example weddings, at the station itself."
Meanwhile, the authorities will carry out surveys of the station buildings to formulate guidelines for their preservation and conservation.
Members of public can give feedback on development plans for the former Malayan Railway land at www.ura.gov.sg/railcorridor/uservoice_landing.html
There will also be an exhibition, "Re-imagining the Rail Corridor" at the URA Centre Gallery, from today till Oct 28.
The initiative is part of a series of events dedicated to increasing public awareness and deepening the understanding of the tract of railway land returned to Singapore.
