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Stakeholders working on membership fees to fund precinct improvement

This article is more than 12 months old

Pedestrian-friendly commercial hubs, art exhibitions and farmers' markets are among ideas thrown up for the nine precincts.

But before these can become a reality, each pilot Business Improvement District (BID) has to collect from its stakeholders membership fees to fund the precinct improvement initiatives.

Asked about this yesterday, Mr Cheng Hsing Yao, group managing director of GuocoLand Singapore and chairman of the Tanjong Pagar BID, said it is "finalising membership fee details, which will be linked to the annual value of the respective landlord's portfolio".

"We are looking to collaborate more with commercial building landlords, shophouse owners, hotel operators and government bodies ... and considering the expansion of the precinct's boundary to include some commercial developments and shophouse districts in Tanjong Pagar," Mr Cheng added.

Mr Olivier Lenoir, general manager of Andaz Singapore, said the amount of membership fees for Kampong Glam "will depend on how many people join, as well as the value of the business plan". The Kampong Glam BID task group now has 11 members.

He added that One Kampong Gelam, the existing business association, joined the BID programme to secure more funds and hopes to expand the alliance to include hotels and community partners such as Sultan Mosque, Malay Heritage Centre and Aliwal Arts Centre.

To prevent any one member from exerting undue influence, Mr Lenoir said: "There is a board and a proper structure comprising a good mix of stakeholders."

The URA has been vital in ensuring balanced discussions and decision-making, he added.

That the Singapore River One (SRO) precinct has been successful in transforming the area into a vibrant waterfront district is encouraging.

Its place-making efforts had been motivated by Circular Road and Boat Quay, which at one time had a bad reputation for touting and overcharging.

The Marina Centre precinct's stakeholders include Suntec City, Millenia Singapore, South Beach and Marina Square and community partners such as Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

Marina Bay precinct's stakeholders are Marina Bay Financial Centre, One Raffles Quay, Marina One, OUE Bayfront and The Fullerton Heritage.

The Paya Lebar precinct consists of Kinex (formerly One KM), SingPost Centre, Paya Lebar Square and Paya Lebar Quarter.

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