Building owners reject govt's plan to destroy fences
<p>Building owners reject govt's plan to destroy fences</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): Owners of high-rise buildings along Jl. M.H.
Thamrin are demanding the city review its plan which will tear
down fences between buildings to make the street "friendlier".</p><p>Sari Pan Pacific Hotel's communication director, Satria Wira,
said Saturday that building owners were not against the plan to
demolish fences separating buildings.</p><p>"We just want adjustments to the plan based on the condition
of each building," Satria told The Jakarta Post.</p><p>Under the plan, called the Thamrin Walk, the fences between
high-rise buildings would be torn down to widen the sidewalks and
create a friendlier atmosphere for pedestrians.</p><p>The sidewalks will be expanded to between seven and eight
meters wide.</p><p>The plan is estimated to affect 20 high-rise buildings,
excluding embassies, along the 1.65 km-long Jl. M.H. Thamrin.</p><p>Satria said owners did not object to the plan.</p><p>"But widening the sidewalks will automatically take up some of
the buildings' space, including parking lots. That's why we want
some adjustments," he said.</p><p>Their request, he said, was sent to the municipality earlier
this month.</p><p>Among the owners who proposed adjustments were Sari Pan
Pacific Hotel, Bank Jaya, BPPT and Skyline buildings, he said.</p><p>"I don't remember the others," Satria said.</p><p>He also said the plan to build a cafe in front of Sari Pan
Pacific should be changed.</p><p>"It's up to us whether to build a cafe, or not. Our hotel has
its own image which we intend to keep," Satria said.</p><p>Meanwhile, Councilor Ali Wongso H. Sinaga of the Golkar
faction said Friday that the plan was very important because it
would eliminate the capitalistic atmosphere of the street.</p><p>"The plan will make the city friendlier and, therefore, should
be supported. The building owners and the administration should
discuss the matter," Ali said.</p><p>He said the administration would be willing to listen to
owners and make necessary changes.</p><p>"This is an important plan and the city really wants it to
materialize," Ali said.</p><p>Last month, Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi said the plan
had received a positive response from the building owners.</p><p>But he said it was unlikely that the plan, originally to
commence in October, would begin as scheduled.</p><p>It is estimated that the plan will cost about Rp 13.2 billion
(about US$4.98 million): Rp 6.3 billion for street median strips,
sprinklers and decorative lamps; and Rp 6.86 billion for new
drainage and ducting utilities.</p><p>It is estimated that 20 building owners will contribute
another Rp 8.5 billion: Rp 6.8 billion to tear down fences and
walls, pave sidewalks and plant trees; and Rp 1.7 billion to
provide bus stops, kiosks, pedestrian lamps, waste bins, benches
and direction signs.</p><p>Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs Tb.M. Rais
said the plan should make the city a more humane and friendly
place.</p><p>The city plans to do the same on Jl. Jend. Sudirman in Central
Jakarta and Mangga Dua in North Jakarta. (ste)</p>
Thamrin are demanding the city review its plan which will tear
down fences between buildings to make the street "friendlier".</p><p>Sari Pan Pacific Hotel's communication director, Satria Wira,
said Saturday that building owners were not against the plan to
demolish fences separating buildings.</p><p>"We just want adjustments to the plan based on the condition
of each building," Satria told The Jakarta Post.</p><p>Under the plan, called the Thamrin Walk, the fences between
high-rise buildings would be torn down to widen the sidewalks and
create a friendlier atmosphere for pedestrians.</p><p>The sidewalks will be expanded to between seven and eight
meters wide.</p><p>The plan is estimated to affect 20 high-rise buildings,
excluding embassies, along the 1.65 km-long Jl. M.H. Thamrin.</p><p>Satria said owners did not object to the plan.</p><p>"But widening the sidewalks will automatically take up some of
the buildings' space, including parking lots. That's why we want
some adjustments," he said.</p><p>Their request, he said, was sent to the municipality earlier
this month.</p><p>Among the owners who proposed adjustments were Sari Pan
Pacific Hotel, Bank Jaya, BPPT and Skyline buildings, he said.</p><p>"I don't remember the others," Satria said.</p><p>He also said the plan to build a cafe in front of Sari Pan
Pacific should be changed.</p><p>"It's up to us whether to build a cafe, or not. Our hotel has
its own image which we intend to keep," Satria said.</p><p>Meanwhile, Councilor Ali Wongso H. Sinaga of the Golkar
faction said Friday that the plan was very important because it
would eliminate the capitalistic atmosphere of the street.</p><p>"The plan will make the city friendlier and, therefore, should
be supported. The building owners and the administration should
discuss the matter," Ali said.</p><p>He said the administration would be willing to listen to
owners and make necessary changes.</p><p>"This is an important plan and the city really wants it to
materialize," Ali said.</p><p>Last month, Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi said the plan
had received a positive response from the building owners.</p><p>But he said it was unlikely that the plan, originally to
commence in October, would begin as scheduled.</p><p>It is estimated that the plan will cost about Rp 13.2 billion
(about US$4.98 million): Rp 6.3 billion for street median strips,
sprinklers and decorative lamps; and Rp 6.86 billion for new
drainage and ducting utilities.</p><p>It is estimated that 20 building owners will contribute
another Rp 8.5 billion: Rp 6.8 billion to tear down fences and
walls, pave sidewalks and plant trees; and Rp 1.7 billion to
provide bus stops, kiosks, pedestrian lamps, waste bins, benches
and direction signs.</p><p>Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs Tb.M. Rais
said the plan should make the city a more humane and friendly
place.</p><p>The city plans to do the same on Jl. Jend. Sudirman in Central
Jakarta and Mangga Dua in North Jakarta. (ste)</p>