Gyeonggi Provincial Government to Revitalize Old District Office Building... Opening Direct Transaction Market, etc.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Old Office Building

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is promoting a plan to prioritize the utilization of the old provincial government office building site in Paldal-gu, Suwon City, by attracting events such as an agricultural products direct transaction market and renting out various facilities within the building.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 5th that since it is expected to take some time until the realization of the "Social Innovation Complex"?a key pledge of Governor Kim Dong-yeon?they have decided to establish a temporary utilization plan for the old government office building to prevent the surrounding area from becoming deserted and to contribute to revitalizing the local economy.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon, upon visiting the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation early in his term, heard from merchants around the old government office building that "sales have dropped significantly due to the office relocation, making it difficult to endure." On August 30, he visited the stores in question and promised, "I will do my best to bring a positive breeze to the commercial district within this year as long as the budget and system allow."

Accordingly, the province plans to temporarily relocate the Metropolitan Environmental Management Office, which can move in this month, to secure resident personnel and create conditions for residents to visit as needed, thereby attracting foot traffic and revitalizing the surrounding commercial district.

Additionally, various events involving residents will be held at the old government office building to stimulate the local economy.

First, on the 21st, a direct transaction market for agricultural products and a flea market will be held at the old government office building, jointly organized by the NongHyup Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters and the online cafe "Suwon Mom Gather." On the 11th and 12th of next month, a direct transaction market for agricultural products will be held as a side event for Farmers' Day. The province plans to continuously hold events hosted by the province and public institutions at the old government office building in the future.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government Cherry Blossom Festival, a representative event that was suspended due to COVID-19, will also resume in 2023.

Furthermore, major facilities of the old government office building, such as the lawn plaza and conference rooms, will be rented out to the general public through the Gyeonggi Shared Services. The central garden of the old building, designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 688 in 2017, will be opened on a limited basis only to residents who reserve it through the Gyeonggi Shared Services. The old building is a courtyard-style ('ㅁ'-shaped building layout with a courtyard inside) structure that exemplifies the essence of 1960s modernist architectural design.

Moreover, the province plans to develop the old government office building into a popular walking spot for residents by maintaining the walking paths, installing landscape lighting, and reinforcing facilities and environmental maintenance.

The province is finalizing the basic plan to develop the old government office building into a "Social Innovation Complex" and preparing to carry out administrative procedures.

The Social Innovation Complex is an experimental and experiential space led by cooperation between the private and public sectors to pioneer various social innovations. It will serve as the center for local economic revitalization and a "Gyeonggi Opportunity Storehouse" that shares Gyeonggi Province's assets with its residents.