Three TST landmarks to stay under revamp
Three landmarks on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront - the clock tower, Star Ferry pier and five flagpoles - will remain intact under a plan by the Tourism Commission to develop the bus terminus into a 'multi-purpose and vibrant' piazza.
Under the so-called 'piazza-plus' project - for which a consultation was launched yesterday - a new open square will be developed on the site of the terminus, which is being moved to Tsim Sha Tsui East.
The document says the clock tower, one of the city's top 10 attractions, will be an important feature of it.
The proposed development has been controversial since it was floated two years ago, with critics saying it jeopardised one of the city's best-loved tourism spots. Shopkeepers in the district also expressed fears they could lose business.
In August, the government began a phased removal of bus routes from the terminus to the Tsim Sha Tsui East bus terminus.
Workshops were held with concern groups and professional bodies in May and it was generally agreed the piazza should have seating, a green environment with shade, a cafe and a fountain.
With community feedback so far, the government proposes some pre-requisites for planning the project. Among them is that the existing Star Ferry pier, clock tower and flag poles should not be affected.
'As planning work takes time, in parallel the commission is exploring options for possible uses and development and management modes of the piazza,' it said.
'It wishes to collect views from the community through different channels ... to formulate an optimal option for the design, development and management of the piazza.' The consultation will end on January 21.
