Senayan to get new public park

JAKARTA (JP): The first stone was laid Wednesday by Mrs. Try Sutrisno, wife of the Vice President, for a new public park in the heart of Jakarta.

The park is to be built on the Taman Ria Remaja site adjacent to the State TVRI Station complex on Jl. Gerbang Pemuda, Senayan.

Tb. M. Rais, vice governor for economic and development affairs, said after initiating the development of the park that the function of the area as a water catchment zone would remain unchanged.

"The proportions of the lake in the park will remain the same because we need it as a water reserve for the city," he said.

"The developer should not cut trees and could even plant more trees to provide a habitat for birds in the area," he added.

Rais said that the developers are taking the environment of the area into proper consideration.

The park will also provide a place for cultural and art performances to support the city as a tourist destination.

PT Ria Pembangunan, which owns Taman Ria Remaja, will work with PT Ariobimo Laguna Perkasa, the developer, to build the Laguna Ria park.

Sharif C. Sutardjo, PT Aribiomo's president, said that buildings in the park will cover about 20,000 square meters of a total area of 111,600 square meters.

The ambitious Rp 90 billion (US$40 million) project will be able to accommodate approximately 6,000 people every day, he said.

According to Sharif, the park will have a food park containing 17 restaurants serving traditional dishes and fast food, a science and technology museum and an environmental activity center.

It will also provide a mini-golf course and a multipurpose stage for wedding ceremonies, garden parties and musical performances. There will also be an "aqua scan" water screen for holograms at the park.

The park will not be completely finished for 2 years, though he added that the first phase of the park will be opened to the public in Sept. 1996."

His company expects to break even in eight years.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Try Sutrisno said that the park should not disturb the activities of its neighbors in the House of Representatives.

Chairwoman of Taman Ria Remaja, Mrs. Ali Murtopo, said that the park will function primarily as a recreation site, in spite of plans for a shopping area in the park.

Mrs. Try Sutrisno also conducted a traditional initiation ceremony by burying a buffalo's head on park grounds. (05)