Business Promotion Requirement: 11% of 2/3 Land Acquisition Remaining, All Administrative Efforts Focused on Early Achievement
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Gwangyang City, which is focusing its administrative efforts on the successful development of the Gubongsan Tourist Complex, is realizing the project promotion through rapid land acquisition.
Gwangyang City announced on the 3rd that as a result of conducting land sales contracts since July 27, it achieved a contract rate of about 56% in just one month, signaling a green light for the Gubongsan Tourist Complex development project.
Divided into local and non-local areas, the land sales contracts were conducted in two phases: from July 27 to August 7 (2 weeks) and from August 10 to August 31 (3 weeks). Out of a total of 467 land parcels covering 1,806,948㎡ (546,602 pyeong), contracts were signed for 1,011,890㎡ (306,097 pyeong), leaving only 11% remaining to secure more than two-thirds of the land required for the project, raising expectations.
In particular, the implementing company, LF Networks Consortium, has firmly expressed its commitment to building the country's top golf course and leisure facilities, brightening expectations for the early start of the project.
The city has set the deadline for securing the project site as the end of September and plans to intensify support for contract signing by actively conducting a second round of promotion targeting landowners who have not yet negotiated by the 18th.
Since July 20, a support office for the tourist complex development has been established on the 3rd floor of the Goryak-dong Community Center, assisting with the receipt of sales contracts, review of submitted documents, preparation of contracts, and providing guidance on the overall project progress, including payment schedules, demonstrating active administrative efforts.
Additionally, various administrative supports have been implemented to facilitate smooth land sales contract signing and early negotiation compensation, such as operating a dedicated legal affairs officer for title transfers and notifying contract conclusions through documentation.
Especially, to prevent COVID-19, landowners were categorized by residence inside and outside the jurisdiction, with different land acquisition periods applied accordingly. Furthermore, safety measures such as hand sanitizers, thermometers, and masks were provided at the office entrance to ensure safe administrative services.
The city plans to accelerate project promotion in October by signing an investment agreement for the tourist complex development among Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do Province, and LF Networks Consortium.
Land purchase payments are scheduled to be made in a lump sum once two-thirds of the project site is secured, which is expected to be possible by October based on current trends.
After completing land acquisition early next year, the city will apply to Jeollanam-do for permits to develop the tourist complex, undergo various administrative procedures such as urban management plan changes, traffic, environmental, disaster, and cultural heritage impact assessments, and aim to start construction with a completion target of December 2023.
Meanwhile, the Gubongsan Tourist Complex development project has been promoted as a regional cooperation project submitted by LF Networks since the opening of Gwangyang LF Square in 2017.
The tourist complex will be developed as a stay-type leisure sports resort featuring various accommodations including 100 hotel rooms, condos, and pensions, a 27-hole golf course, the country's longest 3km luge suitable for family tourists from children to adults, an experiential camping site, and an arboretum.
The city established a TF team last year to support the development of the tourist complex, which will mark a significant milestone in regional development, and actively supports the project through the creation of a dedicated tourist complex team in the organizational restructuring earlier this year.
Since August last year, three rounds of resident briefings have been held, and landowners formed a ‘Landowners’ Representative Committee’ (Chairman Moon Young-hoon) to assert their rights such as selecting appropriate purchase prices, recommending appraisal companies, and requesting the purchase of encumbrances, presenting various demands.
The project implementer has actively accepted these requests, conducting appraisals of land and encumbrances through the recommended appraisal companies, reportedly gaining the consent of the majority of landowners.
Gwangyang Mayor Jung Hyun-bok expressed gratitude, saying, “Despite the concerns and hardships of citizens due to the spread of COVID-19 and the difficulty in attracting investment, smooth contracts are being made thanks to the consensus of citizens on the city’s first tourist complex development and the active cooperation of landowners.”
He added, “If the Gubongsan Tourist Complex development project is successfully promoted, it will create about 300 jobs, increase tax revenue, and lead to population inflow,” and “We will concentrate all administrative efforts to drive the development of Gwangyang tourism and revitalize the local economy.”
A citizen residing in Jungmadong said, “A golf course is an essential facility for Gwangyang City, an international city home to Gwangyang Steelworks and Gwangyang Container Terminal. Although it is somewhat late, I hope the Gubongsan Tourist Complex will be developed promptly as planned,” expressing expectations by adding, “If all citizens take interest and lend their support, the project will proceed smoothly.”
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