The Development Bureau announced today (July 5) that four proposals submitted by non-profit-making organizations have been selected for the fifth phase of the “Revitalization of Historic Buildings Partnership Scheme” (the “Revitalization Scheme”) to revitalize the Robert Hill Building at the old Victoria Barracks in Central , Fanling Luen Wo Market, the former Lau Fau Shan Police Station in Yuen Long and the former Gordon Barracks Watervale House in Tuen Mun.
The former Victoria Barracks Robert Hill Building (a Grade I historic building) will be revitalized by Christian Love Society Fellowship Co., Ltd. and Asia Art Exhibition Co., Ltd. into “Robert Hill Building Happy Art Exhibition Center”, providing a series of creative art workshops and games Therapeutic activities, promotion of mental and mental health information, and appropriate stress reduction methods for those in need. The organizer will also provide guided tours to showcase the history and architectural features of Robertson House.
Luen Wo Market (a Grade III historic building) will be revitalized by the Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service Office as “Len Wo Market – Urban and Rural Living Museum”, with local food stalls and dry and wet goods shops selling local vegetables, agricultural products and daily necessities, in response to The former operation of Luen Wo Market. The organizer will also introduce the history and changes of Luen Wo Market and the surrounding rural areas through a series of diversified guided tour services, workshops and activities, so as to promote the public’s understanding of rural life.
The former Lau Fau Shan Police Station (a Grade 3 historical building) will be revitalized by the Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association Co., Ltd. as the “Former Lau Fau Shan Police Station – Hong Kong Guide Dogs Academy” to raise and train guide dogs for the visually impaired Serve. Some dogs will be trained as therapy dogs to provide assisted therapy services to people in need, such as autistic children or people with communication impairments. The organizer will also introduce the history and architectural features of the former Lau Fau Shan Police Station, as well as the development of oyster farming and fishery in Lau Fau Shan through exhibitions and guided tours.
The former Gordon Barracks Watervale House (a Grade II historic building) will be revitalized by the Tuen Mun Oasis Foundation Co., Ltd. into the “Tuen Mun Oasis”, which will hold workshops, talks and courses that help the development of a balanced body and mind, so that citizens can build a positive and optimistic life manner. The organizer also plans to organize workshops and guided tours to introduce the history and cultural relics of the barracks and Tuen Mun district. There will be a specialty restaurant in the museum that will provide a menu that includes Gunkha food, allowing the public to experience the food culture of Gunkha soldiers.
The Secretary for Development, Wong Wai-lun, said at the press conference: “The Development Bureau launched the “Revitalization Project” in 2008, and partnered with non-profit organizations to preserve, revitalize and make good use of historical buildings, inject new vitality into them, and give the public the opportunity to Visiting and appreciating the old buildings with heritage value, at the same time expecting to rebuild the old community through the revitalization project, create job opportunities, stimulate the local economy and provide appropriate social services.”
“The plan enters its tenth year this year. Together with the four projects announced today, a total of 19 projects have been launched. Among the nine projects that have been put into operation, as of the end of May this year, there have been about 4.6 million visitors Five of them won the “United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Award”, which proves that the level of local revitalization and reuse of historical buildings has been recognized internationally, and the results are encouraging.”
Wong Wai-lun thanked the members of the Advisory Committee on the Preservation of Historic Buildings for their professionalism and rigorous attitude in selecting the most suitable revitalization plan for the historic buildings under the fifth phase of the “Revitalization Scheme”.
The Government will allocate about $365 million to subsidize the restoration works of the four historic buildings, and will invest about $18 million to subsidize the initial operating expenses of the four projects. These projects are expected to complete the rehabilitation works and commence operation in succession between 2022 and 2023, and can provide more than 120 full-time or part-time jobs.
The Advisory Committee on the Preservation of Historic Buildings has received and reviewed a total of 34 applications for the fifth phase of the Revitalization Programme. All applications are judged against the following five judging criteria:
* Highlight the historical value and importance;
* Technical category;
* Social value and operation of social enterprises;
* Financial feasibility; and
* Management capabilities and other considerations.
As for the Fong Yuen Study Room (Grade III historic building) in Ma Wan under Phase V of the Revitalization Project, the Committee has not made any recommendation on the application.
Chairman of the committee, Lau Chi-pang, said: “After detailed discussions, the committee concluded that the proposal failed to meet the selection thresholds of the five evaluation criteria.”
The government will continue to manage and open the Fong Yuen Study Room to the public. At the same time, it will study the long-term use of the study room in detail, including including it in the next “Revitalization Plan”, and invites non-profit organizations to submit applications again.
For details of the selected projects, please visit the Heritage Conservation website of the Development Bureau（www.heritage.gov.hk）。
The Government launched the “Revitalization Project” in 2008, inviting non-profit-making organizations to submit proposals on how to revitalize some government-owned historic buildings in the form of social enterprises. The government will provide appropriate subsidies to the selected organizations, including a one-off grant to cover part or all of the cost of a major renovation of the building, a nominal rent for the building, and a one-off grant to cover the start-up costs of social enterprises and up to the first two years For deficits during operation, the funding cap is capped at $5 million per project, provided that the selected organization is expected to be self-financing after two years of operation.
