GEORGE TOWN • Penang's coastal landscape is set to further change once the RM1 billion (S$328 million) Eastern Seafront Development (ESD) project takes off early next year, with the Promenade Walk along the waterfront likely to be a top attraction.
Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Jeffrey Chew said the Promenade Walk would start from the Swettenham Pier in the Esplanade and extend up to the abandoned Tanjung City Marina.
"The estimated cost is over RM1 billion. The seamless promenade walkway is expected to start in the first quarter of next year with the entire project to be completed in 2024," he said in an exclusive interview with The Star.
PPC is the owner of the land parcel along the coastal stretch after the Astaka until the Rapid Penang bus terminal in Weld Quay.
The projects in the ESD include the expansion of the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) and the upgrading of the ground transport area (GTA), including port warehouses, a yacht club and the Tanjung City Marina.
"We are unlocking the land bank with the RM155 million SPCT expansion (set to commence in the first quarter of next year) and the warehouse development, which has been given to a private company," he said.
Mr Chew added that they were taking a cautious approach to the development of the warehouses, owing to their heritage value.
He added that George Town World Heritage Incorporated will be involved in the planning every step of the way. The development will have retail, culture and duty-free elements while maintaining its original heritage value.
"The warehouses are set to be ready in 2022," he said.
The warehouse development is estimated to cost around RM300 million.
Both the GTA and the yacht club near the PPC Building, said Mr Chew, would be developed by Penang Port and would be a critical component for the SPCT, after the completion of the terminal, with the arrival of quantum-class ships.
The estimated development of both the areas is expected to be around RM300 million.
"The tender exercise for the project has been completed," said Mr Chew.
"The biggest challenge will be developing the Tanjung City Marina land. It is actually not easy to build a marina on the 2ha of land and 5ha of water surface due to water swelling in the area about 12m deep," said Mr Chew.
"It's better to have a retail component to complement the warehouses with a mini marina or an urban archaeological park."
The value of the Tanjung City Marina land, said Mr Chew, was estimated to be around RM100 million, and at least RM200 million would be needed to change the present facade of the area to blend in with the promenade.
State Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the northern seafront development from Astaka to Swettenham Pier would begin once certain components of the Gurney Wharf project take off.
"We welcome the eastern seafront development plans by the PPC," he said.
"Connecting the coastline will be an important aspect of development in the future, although we are facing challenges to expand the roads from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi due to the narrow stretch."
Mr Jagdeep said the state government had requested RM40 million in funding from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to build eco-decks from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi.
THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
