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1. Preservation the priority for heritage site

2. Central heritage site tendering to go ahead

3. Delta bridge on agenda for regional conference

1. Preservation the priority for heritage site
Editorial, SCMP 31 July 2004

The three colonial-style buildings that make up the Central Police Station complex are among Hong Kong's greatest remaining historical treasures. Any plan for their conversion should therefore ensure that - above all else - their historical value is maintained.

The proposal put forward by a group of five public-spirited Hong Kong families - who want to turn the area into an arts complex - would appear to be well-suited to this task. The government should consider it seriously.

This complex, in the heart of our city, comprises a police station, a prison and a former court. Since the dawn of the colonial era, it has been used in connection with law enforcement. The time for a change is long overdue.

The idea is to restore these fine monuments to our city's past and to open them up to the public - to create a cultural icon and a popular tourist attraction.

These buildings have a grim history. But that will only add to their appeal. Victoria Prison - which still houses inmates today - is 163-years-old. In the past, it has been the site of hangings, floggings and various forms of torture.

The idea of turning the area into a centre for tourism, similar to Covent Garden in London or The Rocks in Sydney, was first proposed in 1999 by Swire Properties. The plan envisaged restaurants, shops, a theatre and open-air venues for entertainment - all while keeping the historical buildings intact.

This principle was eventually taken up by the government and the site is due to be sold and handed over for development next year. But the five families have a different idea.

They propose allowing a well-supported charitable foundation to take charge of the site. The plans include a visual and fine arts academy, a museum, a gallery and a crafts centre. Piazzas and cafes would complete the picture.

It would be backed by private donations of $500 million - $100 million is already in the kitty - which would be used for restoration and maintenance. This idea might be better suited to the site than selling it to a property developer and imposing restrictions.

A developer would have to pay a hefty land premium to the government. And, if the buildings are to be preserved, it would have limited options for commercial gain. This can bring the objectives of the developer into conflict with the aim of preserving our heritage. Already, there has been a suggestion that bidders might hope to get away with building a tower block somewhere on the site.

Creating a centre for the arts would also have the support of the local community. It would give Hong Kong's status as a cultural centre a much-needed boost. And the site is on a much more manageable scale than the controversial West Kowloon project.

The government would have to forgo the lucrative land premium. But it should not allow revenue concerns to prevent it from putting our heritage first.

It is, however, important to ensure that the charitable foundation is able to attract enough money to maintain the site.

The experience overseas, dating back decades, is that old buildings are more easily preserved if they are used for a purpose which has commercial benefits. This gives the building a practical reason for being - and for being maintained. They do not necessarily have to be turned into museums or art galleries, although these are welcome if they can pay their way.

If the foundation gets the site, it should be flexible enough to allow for shops and restaurants. This would help draw people to the complex and need not detract from its historical value.

Some of the families involved have been in Hong Kong as long as the buildings themselves. It would be fitting if they were to take on the project.

But the aim must be the same whoever ends up with control. To preserve the buildings, give them back to the people, and ensure that their historical value remains - long into the future.

2. Central heritage site tendering to go ahead
CARRIE CHAN and CHLOE LAI, SCMP 31 July 2004

The Tourism Commission vowed yesterday to push ahead with the tender for the Central Police Station, Victoria Prison and former Central Magistracy.

It is doing so despite a plan by some of Hong Kong's wealthiest philanthropists to turn it into a cultural complex.

The tendering process is tipped to begin next month, but a commission spokeswoman refused to reveal the date and what preservation requirements had been set by the Antiquities Advisory Board.

The commission is responsible for producing the tendering documents because the project is to be redeveloped for tourism-related use.

The bidders' proposals will be reviewed by an assessment panel of the relevant government bureaus and departments. The successful bidder, to be awarded a 50-year land grant, will be announced by the end of the year.

The clarification came after the South China Morning Post yesterday reported that a group of five established families, led by the Hotung family, had outline approval from Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen to turn the site into an arts complex. It would include a visual and fine arts academy to be run by the University of Hong Kong.

The project would be run as a charitable foundation funded by private donations, with $500 million earmarked to cover restoration, renovation and ongoing maintenance.

Roger Tang Man-hung, Hong Kong Institute of Planners' vice-president, said yesterday the government had virtually no choice but to go ahead with the tendering process.

"It is hard for them to drop the open tender because everyone knows it will start very soon and the Hotung project was revealed at such a late stage," he said.

Mr Tang also had doubts over the $500 million proposal because he was unconvinced the groups were willing to contribute such a large amount. He also questioned whether preservation of the site could be sustainable.

But Central and Western district councillor Kwok Ka-ki, who earlier raised concern over access to the site after the restoration, said the government should consider dropping the tender.

"If there are such benefactors who would like to shoulder the financial burden, I think there is no need to open it for tender," he said.

He added that the proposal could make sure that the heritage site was open to visitors.

Conservancy Association chief executive Lister Cheung Lai-ping yesterday said it was inappropriate for the Hotung family to approach top officials directly, adding that they should have acted more fairly by joining the tendering process.

Last April, the chief executive ordered that the project should involve the private sector to preserve, restore and develop the structures. The annual maintenance cost is about $5 million.

3. Delta bridge on agenda for regional conference
STAFF REPORTER, SCMP 31 July 2004

Tung Chee-hwa and his wife, Betty, arrive at a Friends of Hong Kong Association reception at the convention centre last night. On Wednesday, he will meet Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua. Picture by Martin Chan

Cross-border co-operation on several issues will be on the agenda when regional leaders meet at the seventh Hong Kong Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference, in Guangzhou on Wednesday.

One of the leading items for discussion between Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua and other officials is the planned bridge that will link Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai.

The officials may give further details on the hydrology, environmental protection, economic benefits and routing of the bridge.

Other key areas include combating air pollution, notification on infectious diseases and the individual traveller scheme.

Mr Tung will lead a delegation including Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, principal officials and permanent secretaries concerned, and the director of the Chief Executive's Office, Lam Woon-kwong.