Thamrin project to start despite complaints

JAKARTA (JP): The administration is to start the beautification project of Jl. M.H. Thamrin next month despite requests for a review from building owners.

The scheme, which includes the tearing down of fences between high-rise buildings and widening sidewalks on one of the city's main roads, would be carried out in stages, Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs Tb.M. Rais said yesterday.

"It will be started at buildings, whose owners have expressed agreement to participate in the beautification plan," Rais said after attending a meeting to list delayed and uncompleted city projects in conjunction with the forthcoming change of governor.

According to Rais, work would begin at several buildings, including Bank Jaya and Bank Indonesia, the central bank.

Based on the plan, a footpath called Gedung Jaya River Walk will be built along the Krukut river near Bank Jaya. A cafe and resting and meeting points for pedestrians will be incorporated at several places along the river sidewalk, as will parking lots, vendor sites and footpaths connecting other buildings.

"It's okay if the other buildings don't start the project at the same time," Rais said.

He said the project obviously relied on building owners' readiness to participate, including their financial status.

"We understand if companies can't start a project instantly, especially in the middle of a year like now," Rais said.

The companies, he said, normally needed extra time to include a project proposed by other parties in their budgets.

Thamrin Walk

The beautification project, called the Thamrin Walk, is designed to eliminate the capitalistic atmosphere along the street and to create a friendlier ambience for pedestrians.

The city administration has budgeted to spend about Rp 13.2 billion (about US$4.98 million), while owners of the 20 "affected" buildings are being asked to contribute another Rp 8.5 billion to realize the plan.

At least eight owners of buildings on the street have asked the city for a review of the project.

The Sari Pan Pacific Hotel's communications director, Satria Wira, said building owners were not against the municipality's plan, but were only requesting adjustments based on the situation at each building along the 1.65-kilometer-long street.

When asked about the owners' demand, Rais assured them that the municipality was flexible.

"The plan is intended not only to make it more convenient for pedestrians, but also to give benefits to the buildings," he said.

"We acknowledge that each company has different (financial) abilities," Rais said.

The owners' request, he said, was motivated not because they were against the municipality's plan, but because they wanted to share their ideas on the plan.

"The City's Park Agency and a team assigned to the plan will hold a dialog with building owners soon," Rais said. (ste)