Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government will take measures to revitalize some historic buildings in Hong Kong, an official said on Saturday.
Carrie Lam, secretary for development, said on a radio talk show that the HKSAR government suggests adding the Dragon Garden in the New Territories and the Blue House in Hong Kong Island to its Revitalizing Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.
Lam said that the Blue House is under one of the Urban Renewal Authority's projects. It is a prewar building with more than 70 years of history situated in the Stone Nullah Lane.
The Dragon Garden's private owner wishes to give the premise to the HKSAR government as a gift. Lam will speak with the private owner and urge them to form a fund to revitalize the garden.
To strike a balance between development and conservation, the HKSAR government has reserved 1 billion Hong Kong dollars (US$129.03 million) to preserve and put historic buildings to innovative use.
Through the partnership scheme, non profit-making organizations can submit proposals for using these buildings to provide services or business in the form of social enterprise. The HKSAR government will provide financial support in the first two years of operation. The organizations must become self-sustainable.
Lam stressed the government remains open to the amount of financial grants provided. The public consultation process is going on.
(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2007)
