bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

POLICE have released two prime sites in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui for redevelopment in return for having two new quarters built for junior officers.

   The sites - a 5,940 square metre block in Aberdeen Street, Central, and a 10,926 square metre block in Canton Road - will be 'swapped' for 560 junior police quarters at Chai Wan and 248 units in Ngau Chi Wan, Choi Hung, in an $837 million deal.

   Police administrative officer Andrew Leung Kai-pong welcomed the deal, saying it reflects determination to 'invigorate' the force's management practices.

  The deal follows an internal review of under-used government properties.

  The Director of Planning, Dr Pun Kwok-shing, said the report also urged the re-development and sale of sites in North Point, Happy Valley, San Po Kong and Jordan.

   He suggested property trade-offs similar to the police arrangement might be needed to persuade departments to part with the sites.

  Another 20 government-owned premises were being examined.

  'The implications are very complicated and they are big sites,' Dr Pun said.

  'We have not had the available staff to deal ourselves with these issues, but a report has been submitted and we are now doing work on it.

  'They have given us a suggested revenue but it is possible, after discussions with various government departments, that some changes might be needed.'   The five sites are: The Government Supplies Department, Oil Street, North Point;   Lingnan College, Stubbs Road, Happy Valley;   Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Caroline Hill Road, Happy Valley;   Government Offices, San Po Kong; and,   King's Park Government Quarters, Yau Ma Tei.

  It is understood the Planning Department's review is part of the drive to capitalise on inflated property prices.

  Dr Pun said the King's Park site had been gazetted for re-development and approval on the other four locations was pending.

  Mr Leung said the changes meant maximising resources and addressing the way in which operations were handled.

   The Wan Chai Police Station and the Marine Police Headquarters at Tsim Sha Tsui had been considered because of their big potential for sale. However, both have had heritage orders applied.



Police 'swap' prime sites