[Interview] Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, "Creating a Bio Complex on the Changdong Vehicle Depot Site"

Creation of a Bio Industrial Complex Utilizing Changdong Vehicle Depot Site, Full Efforts to Respond to Government's Taereung Golf Course Site Housing Development Plan...Active Proposal to Ease 'Reconstruction Safety Diagnosis Standards' for Old Apartment Reconstruction...Support to Ensure Smooth Progress of Gwangwoon University Station Area Development and Northeast Light Rail Project

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] “During the remaining term, I will spare no effort to support the preparation for the establishment of a bio-industrial complex utilizing the Changdong Vehicle Depot site, which holds the future of Nowon, and to promote reconstruction of apartments that have reached the reconstruction age.”

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon District, said this in an interview with this publication, expressing his determination to successfully complete the projects pursued during the remaining one year of the 7th local government administration.

Currently, Nowon District has the largest number of apartments in Seoul that are over 30 years old, with 39 complexes totaling 59,000 households. Although expectations for reconstruction have grown, a major obstacle to reconstruction, whether private or public, is the current “Reconstruction Safety Diagnosis Standards.” Among the five evaluation criteria for safety diagnosis, the highest weighted factor is the structural safety of the building, making reconstruction practically difficult unless the building structure is weak. Mayor Oh lamented the gap between law and reality, saying, “What actually causes inconvenience to residents are insufficient parking spaces, old water pipes, and other residential environment issues. The current LH apartments have weak fire safety and insulation, severe noise between floors, and nightly parking wars have become a daily routine.”

To improve this, the district government proposed revisions to the safety diagnosis standards twice to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in March 2018 and August 2020. Their position is that if the score for residential environment is weighted higher and the weights for structural safety and building facilities are somewhat lowered from the current standards, rational project promotion would be possible.

Along with this, the development of the Changdong Vehicle Depot site, which spans 247,000㎡ near Nowon Station, and the Dobong Driver’s License Test Site are urgent issues to be resolved. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is considering developing a dome baseball stadium and shopping mall in this key area, which is crucial for the region’s future, while Nowon District is pursuing the establishment of a bio-industrial complex as originally planned.

In a recent meeting with Mayor Oh, Mayor Oh Seung-rok requested that the development plan for the relocated vehicle depot site be carried out as originally planned. “In the past, residents in the Gangbuk area had strong desires for large shopping malls or large-scale gymnasiums, but now they hope for development into a self-sufficient city,” he said. “In the post-COVID era, consumption patterns are expected to change, and with advances in genetic technology and human lifespan extension, fostering the bio sector is important.”

The bio-industrial complex must have related companies, research institutions, and hospitals gathered together to function properly. Since the Changdong Vehicle Depot is the last large-scale development site remaining in Seoul, it is the optimal location, and the project should proceed according to the existing plan to meet residents’ expectations.

The development project around Gwangwoon University Station is also of interest. Around Gwangwoon University Station, a 49-story landmark building consisting of a hotel and office facilities and about 2,400 apartment units are planned. This project was selected as a preliminary negotiation site in 2009 but faced repeated setbacks due to lack of profitability and was auctioned twice.

In 2017, HDC Hyundai Development Company was selected as the preferred negotiator, accelerating the project. Instead of lowering the land sale price due to the removal of retail commercial facilities, the commercial area ratio was adjusted (from 30% to 20%), and the donation ratio was reduced (from 35% to 25%) to improve profitability. The Seoul Metropolitan Government, Korail, and local assembly members who mediated provided unwavering support, which was a great help.

The Gwangwoon University Station area development is divided into three main parts. The ‘commercial and business site’ will feature a landmark building up to 49 stories high with hotel, office, and commercial facilities. The ‘complex site’ will have 11 buildings ranging from 35 to 49 stories with 2,694 luxury residential units, and the lower floors will include shared offices and retail spaces.

The ‘public site’ donated for local residents will be developed into living infrastructure facilities such as a multipurpose sports facility with a swimming pool, futsal and basketball courts, a library, and a community center. Road infrastructure will also be expanded, creating a new road connecting the previously disconnected Gwangwoon University Station and Wolgye-dong, and a pedestrian overpass facility will be newly installed.

Construction is expected to start in the first half of 2022 after administrative procedures are completed, with completion anticipated in 2025. It is expected to become a new economic hub in the northeastern region, combining office, commercial, and residential facilities.

Moreover, expectations for the station area development continue to rise as the metropolitan area’s GTX-C line now stops at Gwangwoon University Station, and the KTX Uijeongbu extension line also includes Gwangwoon University Station.

Nowon District, where subway lines 1, 4, 6, and 7 pass through, has another transportation advantage: the Dongbuk Line connecting Sanggye and Wangsimni. Construction is currently underway and is expected to improve traffic conditions at Eunnhang Intersection, a representative school district area.

The Dongbuk Light Rail Transit connects Sanggye Station in Nowon District to Wangsimni Station in Seongdong District, with 16 stations covering 13.4 km in just 30 minutes. Construction of the Dongbuk Line began in earnest in March, with seven stations passing through Nowon District. Transfers are possible at Sanggye Station on Line 4, Hagye Station on Line 7, and Wolgye Station on Line 1, raising high expectations.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “These are long-cherished projects, so I will work closely with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to ensure that the ongoing projects are carried out smoothly during the remaining term.”