Medan to redevelop historic City Hall<\/p>\n
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra<\/p>\n
Plans are in the pipeline to redevelop the historic Balai Kota
\n(City Hall) into an area called the City Hall Town Square at a
\ncost of more than Rp 80 billion (US$9.5 million).<\/p>\n
Municipal spokesman Arlan Nasution said on Friday that the one
\nhectare site, located at the Jl. Balaikota and Jl. Raden Saleh
\nintersection, would later host a 15-story boutique hotel, a
\nshopping center and various support facilities.<\/p>\n
The project, which is slated to begin this year, will be
\nfinanced by local investors and is expected to be completed in
\ntwo years time, he said.<\/p>\n
He said the project was of great importance to the
\nmunicipality as it would generate revenue and provide much needed
\nemployment.<\/p>\n
\"The area in the heart of Medan city is projected to become a
\ncenter of activity for Medan residents,\" he told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
Under the plan, the historic Balai Kota building, which is one
\nof the major landmarks in Medan, will be restored without
\naltering its original shape, he said.<\/p>\n
Marketing director of PT Multi Arta Semesta (MAS), Darsono
\nHady, the developer of project, explained that the new City Hall
\nTown Square would be characterized by European and classical
\narchitecture.<\/p>\n
He also said various facilities such as shopping and
\nentertainment centers would be incorporated in the project,
\nincluding an exclusive \"City Walk\", a City Hall convention center
\nwith a colonial era atmosphere, the Deli River Cafe and much more
\nbesides.<\/p>\n
For those who preferred a different ambience, the hotel and
\nthe City Walk would be surrounded by cafes and restaurants, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
High-class boutiques, fashion outlets, gift shops, bookstores
\nand supermarkets would line the City Walk.<\/p>\n
To enliven the shopping atmosphere, exhibitions, fashion shows
\nand other events would be staged periodically.<\/p>\n
When asked his reaction to the project, the deputy speaker of
\nMedan's legislative council, Yunus Rasyid, expressed his support
\nprovided that it did not damage or detract from protected
\nbuildings.<\/p>\n
He expressed the opinion that as a metropolitan city, it is
\nhigh time that Medan had a center worthy of the city's status.<\/p>",
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