Plan to revamp Hong Kong's famous Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront greeted with scepticism by locals and tourists
Visitors and locals query plans for TST waterfront - and role of developer
The took to the waterfront yesterday and found an avenue of divided opinion on the plan, which would see developer New World build new attractions, restaurants and stores in return for an extension on its contract to manage the site. The company says it will not profit from the work.
Student Cheung Chun-fung, 19, said: "I think this project isn't a good thing, because it's going to close the promenade for three years and will make walking from Tsim Sha Tsui to Hung Hom very inconvenient. TST and Hung Hom already have enough malls and restaurants for tourists. Building [more] will be useless."
Handing the project to New World without open bidding "seems unfair" and "raises the question of whether there is collusion between government and developers", he added.
Au Yeung Pak-fun, 75, an ice cream and drinks vendor for 40 years, said: "Closing the Avenue of Stars for three years is too long; it will make this area very quiet.
"New World is a business; they just talk about their business interest, not the interest of the public. It's better if the government manages the area itself.
"Yes it will be managed by a non-profit, but the rent of shops and restaurants will be profitable. They should build more gardens and open spaces if it is really not for profit."
Accountant Connie Tam Wing-kuen, 48, wants an area that offers more for locals. "I think we have enough malls and places to eat … they should build things that will attract locals, not just tourists. More open spaces would be good."
She said the process of giving the site to New World felt like a "black-box operation" - a term used to describe government actions that lack transparency. "I guess what is most important is to supervise [the developer] properly, to make sure it is not benefitting from this," she added.
Lindsey Capararo, 38, a manager visiting from Australia, thinks three years is too long for the Avenue of Stars to close. "They really could have more eateries here though," she said.
Ling Cong, an engineer from the mainland, said closing the avenue for so long "may affect my desire to come" to the city. "But having more restaurants will be nice; as for malls, I think there are already many in Hong Kong."
