Urban Renewal Authority 2018-19 Annual Report

51 OPERATING REVIEW The URA preserves and revitalises buildings, sites and structures of historical, cultural or architectural value within its urban renewal projects, and other self-standing heritage preservation project, subject to policy support from the Administration. In the process of preservation and revitalisation, the URA has recently adopted the place-making concepts to better recognise and preserve the heritage as well as local characteristics. Urban renewal has been further taken forward by the community-making initiatives through re-building community network so as to create a more harmonious society. 7 Mallory Street, Wan Chai Since August 2018, URA has taken over the management and operation of 7 Mallory Street (formerly known as Comix Home Base). Since then, about 100 community activities ranging from performances to workshops have taken place. URA will continue to collaborate with a wider spectrum of art, cultural and community organisations to help foster further art and cultural activities for the community. Central Market Following the approval of the Chief Executive in Council for a 21-year private treaty grant of the site of the former Central Market to URA at nominal premium, and the grant of a five-year short-term tenancy in 2017, URA commenced main revitalisation works in November 2018, applying the Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology in building construction. The project will be completed in two phases, with the first phase to be tentatively completed around early 2021 for the public’s early enjoyment. Mong Kok URA is enhancing the local characteristics through streetscape improvement of five themed streets, namely Flower Market Road, Tung Choi Street, Sai Yee Street, Fa Yuen Street and Nelson Street to enrich their unique characteristics and ambience. The improvement works at Flower Market Road have been completed. The implementation of the improvement works at Tung Choi Street will be taken up by Government departments. Improvements for Sai Yee Street and Fa Yuen Street have been partially finished along with the completion of URA’s Sai Yee Street redevelopment project. Local consultation of the final phase of the project at Nelson Street and other sections of Sai Yee Street and Fa Yuen Street improvement works will be conducted soon. The Mallory Street/Burrows Street Revitalisation Project, now known as “7 Mallory Street”, fosters art and cultural activities for the community.