Senayan to get new public park

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)