Yuyong, Chair of the Planning and Economic Committee of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Confirms 214.3 Billion Won Budget for Dongjak District in 2020

Budget Reflected for 112 Seoul City Projects and 148 Education Office Projects... Water Playground Created Next to Sadang Sports Complex Site and Public Library Half the Size of Namsan Library Built in Heukseok-dong

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] A water playground accessible for free to all generations, from children to adults, will be created on the site (10,000㎡) next to Sadang Sports Complex, and a public library half the size of Namsan Library will be built in Heukseok-dong.

Yoo Yong, a Seoul city council member (Democratic Party, Dongjak 4) currently serving as the chair of the Planning and Economy Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, announced that a budget of 214.3 billion KRW related to Dongjak-gu for 2020 has been finalized.

At the 290th regular session of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, Chair Yoo stated that the 2020 budget related to Dongjak-gu includes 195.7 billion KRW from the Seoul city budget and 18.6 billion KRW from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education budget.

◇Creation of a pedestrian network to enhance waterfront accessibility between Dongjak, Heukseok, and Nodeul stations

According to Chair Yoo, the most notable project in this budget allocation is the creation of a riverside pedestrian path along the Han River from Dongjak Station to Yeouinaru Station. This section has long been neglected as a narrow and dark space, requiring comprehensive improvement.

Seoul City plans to improve pedestrian accessibility and expand the lacking green spaces and cultural facilities.

In fact, in 2019, the average park supply area per person in Dongjak-gu was 11.50㎡, which falls short of the Seoul city average of 17.23㎡, indicating a shortage of parks in the area.

The city will invest a total project cost of 8.47 billion KRW (2.46 billion KRW allocated for the Dongjak area in 2020), with construction starting in July this year and completion scheduled for June next year.

◇Major Dongjak-gu related project budgets allocated this year

In the social education and welfare sector, approximately 31.4 billion KRW was allocated across 19 projects, including ▲23 billion KRW for the construction of a youth culture house utilizing the underground bunker in Daebang-dong ▲1 billion KRW for reinforcing aging daycare facilities ▲400 million KRW for establishing a hub-type Kiwoom Center.

Improvement of the Underpass Space of Noryang Bridge

In the environmental conservation sector, about 50.3 billion KRW was allocated for 46 projects, including ▲500 million KRW for creating a water playground in Hyeonchung Neighborhood Park ▲1.1 billion KRW for city park maintenance ▲200 million KRW for trail maintenance at Seodal Mountain ▲27.3 billion KRW for compensation projects for long-unexecuted urban parks such as Hyeonchung, Sangdo, and Kkachisan Parks ▲1.2 billion KRW for maintenance of the badminton court in Hyeonchung Neighborhood Park ▲8.3 billion KRW for comprehensive sewer pipe maintenance in Sadang and Imok drainage basins.

In the road and traffic sector, 64 billion KRW was allocated for 10 projects, including ▲8.3 billion KRW for Sadang-ro expansion ▲11.2 billion KRW for demolition of the Nodeul north-south overpass ▲structural improvements on Nodeul-ro (Daebang to Bondong area) ▲200 million KRW for improvements in child protection zones ▲2.5 billion KRW for installation of convenience facilities at subway stations (Sadang Station Exit 8, Namseong Station Exit 2, Jangseungbaegi Station Exit 5) ▲and expansion of subway station restrooms (Sadang, Soongsil University Entrance, Sindaebang Samgeori, Sangdo, Namseong Stations).

In the housing, urban, and urban safety management sector, 43.5 billion KRW was allocated for 25 projects, including ▲2.5 billion KRW for creating a Han River waterfront pedestrian network from Dongjak Station to Nodeul Station ▲9.3 billion KRW for the construction of Baeknyeon Bridge (pedestrian bridge at the southern end of Hangang Bridge) ▲10 billion KRW for facility investment in rental housing (Heukseok Cheongho, Hangang, etc.) ▲4 billion KRW for relocating and increasing capacity of the Heukseok rainwater pumping station.

In the industrial competitiveness enhancement and cultural tourism promotion sector, 6.4 billion KRW was allocated for 12 projects, including ▲400 million KRW for constructing a parking lot at Namseong Sakae Market ▲1.7 billion KRW for promoting Chung-Ang University Campus Town (Heukseok-dong) ▲1.7 billion KRW for building a complex library in Heukseok-dong ▲200 million KRW for supporting the memorial rites for the Sa-yuk-shin (Righteous Confucian Scholars).

In the education sector, approximately 18.6 billion KRW will support 148 projects, including ▲48 million KRW for improving the ceiling finish materials of the pilotis at Eunro Elementary School ▲97 million KRW for constructing a new assembly platform and exterior painting of teachers’ offices at Heukseok Elementary School ▲260 million KRW for creating an eco-friendly playground at Dongjak Middle School ▲270 million KRW for replacing LED lighting and ceiling materials at Chung-Ang Middle School.

Chair Yoo Yong said, “This good outcome was achieved through joint efforts with Dongjak District Office (District Head Lee Chang-woo), Kang Hee-yong, the Democratic Party’s Dongjak-eul regional chairman, National Assembly member Kim Byung-gi, and four city council members (Kim Jeong-hwan, Kim Kyung-woo, Park Gi-yeol, Yoo Yong) to reflect residents’ opinions as much as possible.” He added, “We will continue to work hard for a better future where everyone in Dongjak prospers together.”