Breaking ground in February 2018 on the former Oryu 1-dong Community Center site... Constructed with 4 basement levels and 18 floors above ground... Floors 2-5 for public facilities, floors 6-18 housing 180 Happy Housing units... Move-in began late last month... Community Center to relocate to new building this month... Expected to secure resident spaces and achieve housing stability
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The "Oryu 1-dong Community Center Complex Project," which gained significant attention as the nation's first complex development of an aging government office building, has come to fruition.
The "Oryu 1-dong Community Center Complex Project," jointly promoted by Guro-gu, the government, and Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (hereafter SH Corporation), is a project to reconstruct the aging office building into a complex facility that includes public facilities, resident convenience facilities, and Happy Housing.
Guro-gu granted free use of the community center site, the government supported part of the project cost using the Housing and Urban Fund, and SH Corporation constructed the building and donated the community center and public facilities to Guro-gu. Happy Housing was also provided to stabilize housing for low-income residents.
Guro-gu devised this solution while considering the reconstruction of the old Oryu 1-dong Community Center building, which was built in 1981 and had become outdated, and began consultations with SH Corporation in 2016.
Subsequently, the two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding and held resident briefings, working together to ensure smooth project progress. As a result, construction began in February 2018, and after more than three years of work, the project was finally completed last month.
The complex building was constructed at 7, Gyeongin-ro 27-gil, with a total floor area of 10,327㎡, consisting of four basement levels and 18 above-ground floors. Basement levels 1 to 4 serve as parking lots, the first floor houses neighborhood living facilities, floors 2 to 5 contain the community center and public facilities, and floors 6 to 18 accommodate 180 units of Happy Housing. Guro-gu manages and operates the community center and public facilities, while SH Corporation manages and operates the neighborhood living facilities and Happy Housing.
The Oryu 1-dong Community Center, currently operating in a temporary building, will move to the new building's second floor within this month. Additionally, the third floor will include a community hall, resident lounge, senior citizens' center, the fourth floor will have a multipurpose auditorium, program rooms, and a kitchen, and the fifth floor will feature a small library and meeting rooms.
Through this, Guro-gu resolved the construction of a public office building, which requires a large budget, without additional budget input and expanded public and resident convenience facilities.
SH Corporation was also able to supply public rental housing while significantly reducing land acquisition costs in the city center through this project. The Happy Housing "Sopereum," created for university students, young professionals, and seniors, began move-ins at the end of last month. It is expected to alleviate the housing cost burden for young people who find it difficult to afford expensive housing and to revitalize the nearby commercial district.
With the successful completion of the "Oryu 1-dong Community Center Complex Project," which presented a win-win model through cooperation among public institutions, it is expected that this type of project will expand nationwide.
A Guro-gu official stated, "'Oryu 1-dong Community Center Complex Development' is a win-win project where the district office secures resident space, and the government and SH Corporation supply Happy Housing to solve housing difficulties," adding, "We will also make every effort to ensure thorough post-operation management so that this project can become a model case."
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