Wednesday November 26, 2008
New life for Penang Road
By K. KASTURI DEWI
THE state will formulate a master plan for the development of Penang Road including Komtar in a move to revitalise the whole area.
Komtar assemblyman and Komtar Revitalisation Committee chairman Ng Wei Aik said on Tuesday the state already had an initial concept for the master- plan.
“It is still very general and we have to put it down in paper first before any fina-lisation can be made,’’ he told reporters after a press conference on Phase One of the Komtar Revitalisation project.
Ng said the development of Penang Road including Komtar would take between five and 10 years.
Komtar makeover:A master plan to develop Penang Road including Komtar is in the pipeline. Meanwhile, workers are busy upgrading the aging mall under Phase One of a revitalising project. 
Fresh look:Workers putting up a new ceiling and lighting at Komtar. He declined to elaborate further.
Ng also said the state was expected to finalise its decision on the first phase of the Komtar revitalisation project by next April.
The first phase includes calling of tender for the multi-storey car park after the existing operator hands it over to the state next month.
Ng said the state also welcomed propo-sals from interested parties who are keen in developing and leasing the commercial area at level four ( the site of the former Aktif Lifestyle department store), Levels 59 and 60 of the Komtar Tower where the Tower Restaurant is located, the squash centre and the food court which are both located on Level 5.
“We also invite those interested to develop and operate the open area on Level 5 which can be turned into a extreme game park and youth performing centre,” he added.
Ng said ongoing renovation and upgra-ding works from Level 1 to Level 4 which includes changing of floor tiles, installing lighting and ceilings were expected to be completed by Dec 15.
He said due to lack of state funds, it had to rely on private initiatives and funding to revive Komtar.
“We cannot always rely on the Penang Development Corporation and the state’s coffers,” he said.
Ng added that Metrojaya Bhd which submitted its building plans about 10 years ago to develop plots of land under Phases 2B and 3 of the Komtar project was keen to amend the plan.
“The state is waiting for their proposal and we are willing to study whether their idea is feasible,’’ he said.
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