*******************************************************
The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, today (August 4) visited the So Uk Estate redevelopment site to keep abreast of the progress of this project.
The redevelopment project, comprising 14 domestic blocks ranging from 21 to 41 storeys high, will be completed in two phases. It is anticipated that about 2,910 flats and about 370 flats in Phase 1 will be completed in 2015-16 and 2016-17 respectively, and about 3,690 flats in Phase 2 will be completed in 2017-18.
At the site, Professor Cheung was briefed on the project design and the preservation work for heritage structures of the former So Uk Estate, including the little white shed, the shell structures along Lilac Street and the estate entrance gate. After revitalisation, these old structures will have space for exhibiting images of the former So Uk Estate.
Inheriting the former So Uk Estate's topography, the domestic blocks of the new estate will be situated on different platforms straddling different levels. Professor Cheung learnt more about the network of lift towers and footbridges that will link up the domestic blocks at the upper level and the estate entrances at the lower level, hence giving tenants convenient and barrier-free access. He also visited domestic flats under construction to understand the sequence of works.
Before touring the So Uk Estate redevelopment site, Professor Cheung visited Hoi Lai Estate in Sham Shui Po. He toured Hoi Lai Shopping Centre and the Butterfly Garden in the estate. With the planting of various kinds of flowers such as azaleas, Pantas lanceloata and Ixora javanica to attract butterflies, the Butterfly Garden enriches the leisure enjoyment of tenants.
Professor Cheung also visited an elderly centre run by a non-governmental organisation in the estate to learn about its social services provided to elderly persons.
Ends/Monday, August 4, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:20
NNNN