First Step Toward Complexification of Galhyeon Elementary School in Eunpyeong-gu

Kim Mikyung, Eunpyeong District Mayor, Meets Parents to Persuade Participation in 'Complexification'... Education Office Reconstruction Review Result 'Approved'... Underground Public Parking Lot and Multipurpose Gymnasium Planned

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced that along with the reconstruction of Galhyeon Elementary School as part of the complex development project, an underground public parking lot and a multipurpose gymnasium will also be constructed.

The ‘complex development project’ refers to a project that includes facilities such as gymnasiums, libraries, and parking lots that can be used by both students and residents when building school facilities. In the case of Galhyeon Elementary School, it includes the construction of a gymnasium where students can freely play and an underground parking lot to alleviate the parking difficulties experienced in the area.

Located in Yeonsinnae, a representative commercial hub of Eunpyeong-gu, Galhyeon Elementary School is surrounded by Yeonsinnae shopping district and other commercial and office facilities. However, due to the lack of a public parking lot, there is a shortage of parking spaces for visitors to the shops, leading to an increase in illegal roadside parking and exposing children to safety risks.

Since its opening in March 1967, Galhyeon Elementary School has expanded its buildings through extensions and additions, but the buildings have become severely aged. In recent years, maintenance has been carried out through remodeling, replacement, and repairs, leading parents to raise opinions that a complete reconstruction is necessary.

Accordingly, Eunpyeong-gu conducted a feasibility study for the construction of an underground public parking lot at the school in 2011 to explore ways for the school and local community to coexist and contribute to revitalizing the local commercial district. The Office of Education also conducted a detailed study in 2018 on expanding the gymnasium and arranging the underground parking lot.

In 2019, the Office of Education accepted Galhyeon Elementary School’s opinions and proposed a reconstruction plan close to new construction. The district mayor personally visited the school, attended a parents’ meeting to persuade participation, and the relevant departments explained the project details to members of the parents’ operating committee. As a result of these multifaceted efforts, a survey conducted among parents, students, and staff showed 85% approval, leading to the decision to proceed with the complex development project.

In November last year, Eunpyeong-gu submitted the basic design results for the underground public parking lot to the Western Education Support Office, and on January 21 of this year, the Office of Education’s reconstruction review was finally ‘approved.’

The Galhyeon Elementary School complex development project will proceed in three phases from 2021 to 2023 following architectural design competitions and plans in 2020. The public parking lot will be constructed underground during the reconstruction of the east building, and the multipurpose gymnasium will be newly built.

The district plans to promote the construction of the underground public parking lot through the Small and Medium Business Administration’s contest for the ‘Traditional Market and Shopping District Revitalization Support Project,’ linking it with local commercial revitalization. The multipurpose gymnasium will also be opened for use by local residents.

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, stated, “We will do our best to ensure that the school complex development project, which satisfies everyone through cooperation with the Office of Education, the school, shopping districts, and local residents, can be successfully promoted.”