'Sport mall' project to go ahead

'Sport mall' project to go ahead

JAKARTA: The construction of a controversial mall devoted to
sports in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta will likely continue after
the City Environmental Monitoring Body gave the project a green
light amid protests by nearby residents.

Head of the City Environmental Monitoring Body Kosasih
Wirahadikusumah said on Thursday that his office had issued a
positive recommendation in its environmental impact analysis
submitted by consultants of the project.

"There is therefore no problem with the project," Kosasih
said.

Residents have protested over the proposed construction of the
mall in the area as the land was allocated to developers of a
housing complex for general and social purposes. The protesters
said the area should not be used as a commercial center.

The planned stadium, which will include an international-
standard basketball arena and a mall with 264 shops, will be
built on a parcel of land on Jl. Janur Elok Raya by PT. Satria
Mahaka.

The area is surrounded by about 600 houses, while the only
access to the site is a six-meter-long street, Jl. Kelapa Nias
Raya.

The project, estimated to cost Rp 70 billion (US$8 million),
will be constructed on a build-transfer-operate basis. The
administration will regain both the land and building after 25
years of operation. --JP