Police to lose room with view
A full sea-view lounge for senior police officers is to be dropped from plans to redevelop police headquarters.
The aim is to cut the $3.2 billion cost, which has come under fire from legislators.
The redevelopment proposal had to be withdrawn from the Legco public works sub-committee in January because of opposition from lawmakers.
The 43-storey complex in Arsenal Street was to include a four-storey basement, 36 lifts, a full sea-view lounge for officers, several catering areas, an armoury, an indoor firing range, a barber's shop and an auditorium.
During yesterday's special Finance Committee meeting, Commissioner of Police Eddie Hui Ki-on said officials had decided to drop the plan for the lounge.
The space would be used to accommodate other units now outside headquarters, he said.
But Mr Hui said the entire plan could not be withdrawn because that would delay the project for two years. He said he had no idea how much money could be saved.
Construction is planned to start in August and end in January 2004.
