SEREMBAN: The Railway Asset Corporation (RAC) has received four proposals from reputable developers to develop a 16.18ha (40-acre) area near the main railway station here to be turned into a central business district, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the mixed development project will be a catalyst for economic growth in this part of the city.
"We know that other areas such as Seremban 2 have been the focus of development in recent years.
"We want to bring a breath of fresh air to this part of Seremban and undertake activities that will generate economic activities here," he said on Friday (Aug 23) after witnessing the handing over of a pedestrian walkway and tunnel linking the KTM station to the Terminal 1 bus station.
The handover was made by the RAC to the Seremban City Council.
Loke said the new development will be transit-oriented and not only consist of residential units and shopping malls as proposed earlier.
"The idea is to have a new community living in a mixed development surrounded by an integrated transportation hub which will help generate economic activities.
"We reviewed the earlier concept and decided to have one which may even include a private hospital and higher learning institute as well as other business and commercial activities," he said.
Redevelopment of the railway station would augur well for such a project, he added.
Loke, who is also Seremban MP, said the proposal to develop the area was made when the Residensi Seremban Sentral (RSS) PR1MA housing project was launched, but it did not take off.
There are 1,504 units at the PR1MA project.
He said the fact that reputable developers who had undertaken big projects in major cities nationwide submitted proposals for the new project showed it had a lot of potential.
"Seremban rarely gets this kind of interest from big-name developers for such a mixed development project.
"The RAC is evaluating these proposals and we will choose the one with the best design and which gives the best returns to the RAC,” he said, adding that the mixed development project would be part of the Seremban Sentral project.
In January, Loke performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the RM170mil project to redevelop the Seremban railway station to be known as Seremban Sentral.
The facade of the station built in 1904, including the clock tower, would be preserved.
The RAC has also allocated RM8.6mil for upgrading work around the existing structure and this was due for completion in the first quarter of next year.
Loke said the Seremban Sentral project would have a modern and state-of-the-art design.
"It will be more modern than KL Sentral and will be ready by the end of 2026," he said.
Loke said the Negri Sembilan authorities were also upgrading the Terminal 1 bus station and once completed, it would encourage more people to use public transport.
"I had also launched the rebranded new stage bus service last week, covering several areas in the state where the operators are required to use brand new buses.
"Today, we see the handing over of the walkway and tunnel upgraded at a cost of RM400,000.
"All this shows we are serious about getting more people to leave their cars at home and use public transport," he added.
Loke said food truck operators would also be encouraged to set up in the open area near the KTM multi-storey car park to attract more people.
Those keen to set up businesses in the area may contact the RAC for more information, he added.
