Thamrin project to start in April

Thamrin project to start in April

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is scheduled to start
the Thamrin Walk project along Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, in
April, deputy governor of development affairs Tb. M. Rais said on
Wednesday.

Rais said that all 28 of the high-rise building owners to be
affected by the project had supported the beautification plan.

"We will invite them again before the Idul Fitri holidays to
talk about the project's development," he said.

Formerly, eight of the 28 building owners were unwilling to
join the venture, which includes taking down fences between high-
rise buildings and widening sidewalks. Their concerns primarily
focussed on security issues should their fences be taken down.

The project is designed to beautify the area with the aim of
making it "friendlier" for pedestrians according to officials.

Prawoto Danumihardjo, the city's assistant for economic and
development affairs, said that as soon as the project was
completed, a similar project would be developed along Jl.
Sudirman.

Prawoto said that research on the Thamrin Walk project started
in 1983.

"The idea is to make use of the building properties along
Thamrin to contribute to public facilities by providing better
and wider sidewalks," Prawoto said. (edt/ind)