Horti-Flora wins Balestier Road Project for $1.1mn

URA has awarded the tender for the environmental improvement project, which aims to to further enhance the Old World Charm of the area.

The tender for the improvement works was called on 9 Feb 2011 and closed on 7 Mar 2011. The Old World Charm of the area, which has been identified as rich in cultural and built heritage as part of the URA’s Identity Plans was exhibited in 2002. At that time, the proposals to retain the social memory and identity for the area included the conservation of selected shophouses with architectural and historical values and to promote the local history of the area. Hence, buildings identified with conservation merits were gazetted for conservation, and heritage markers were introduced to provide information on historical landmarks. An additional surface car park was also introduced to meet the needs of the community.

According to URA, the current proposed improvement works serve to further enhance the pedestrian amenities along Balestier Road. They include finishing walkways with non-slip terracotta tiles and upgrading existing dilapidated open roadside drains to covered drains so they can double up as proper walkways. More public car parks will also be introduced at the future Zhongshan Park hotel development and when the extension of Minbu Road car park behind Balestier Market is completed. URA is working with the National Heritage Board to upgrade and reroute the existing Balestier Heritag Trail with new story boards and heritage markers. The improvement works will complete by end 2011.

The Balestier Road project, sold for a sum of $1,108,371, is part of a series of environmental improvement projects that the URA has been carrying out in various spots all over the island. This is part of the URA’s plans to continually enhance the quality of our living environment and to make Singapore a great place to live, work, and play in. The completed projects include works at Siglap Village and Upper Serangoon Road, as well as the creation of new leisure destinations such as the Woodlands Waterfront and Punggol Promenade.