Demolition of Old Dongdaemun District Community Center and Establishment of 'District Happiness Center'

Operated as a Public Parking Lot from Early Next Year to Late 2027 Before Construction
Reborn as a Happiness Center with a Kids Cafe, Exhibition Hall, and Science Experience Center Reflecting Residents' Opinions

The community center in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (District Mayor: Lee Pil-hyung), which had been left vacant for a long time, will be newly developed into a "(tentative name) Community Happiness Center" where children and parents can enjoy together.

The district conducted two rounds of surveys (both online and on-site voting) targeting residents to determine the purpose of the new building.

Based on the results of the first survey with 1,019 participants (December 2022) and the second with 1,272 participants (May 2023), the building’s purpose was decided to include a book cafe, Seoul-style kids cafe, exhibition hall, science experience center, cafeteria, and multipurpose auditorium. From the initial construction phase to completion, a "Resident Participation Council" consisting of 55 experts and residents will be continuously operated to gather diverse opinions from the community.

After the demolition of the existing community center building, which began last month, is completed in December, the site will be used as a public parking lot for residents’ convenience until the new "(tentative name) Community Happiness Center" breaks ground in the first half of next year and is completed in the second half of 2027.

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, "The people who know best what our district needs and the strengths and weaknesses of our neighborhood are ultimately the residents." He added, "We will work hard to ensure safety on site until completion, and by reflecting the diverse opinions of the currently formed Resident Participation Council, we will create a Community Happiness Center with facilities that residents want."