Ilsan Lake Park "Book Cafe" in Goyang Faces Indefinite Delay After Full Budget Cut

Construction Budget of 1.8 Billion KRW for Book Cafe Project Cut Again
Direct Impact on Citizen Convenience and Cultural Opportunities
Even if Secured in Second Supplementary Budget in September, Facility Unlikely to Open Before Next Year

The city of Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) is facing the indefinite postponement of its planned "book cafe project" within Ilsan Lake Park due to budget cuts by the city council.

Ilsan Lake Park Lake Bridge Underpass Project Site. Provided by Goyang Special City

According to Goyang Special City on April 22, the city has been pursuing the book cafe project since 2023, utilizing the idle space beneath the southern end of Lake Bridge to provide citizens with a comfortable reading and relaxation area. The design is currently about 90% complete, and the project was entering its final stage with the goal of completion by October 2025.

However, the city council has effectively halted the project by cutting the entire construction budget of 1.8 billion KRW in both the 2025 main budget and the first supplementary budget for March 2025.

This is expected to cause significant inconvenience for citizens. With the recent population influx due to the development of the Janghang residential district, demand for convenience facilities has increased, and citizens are likely to face fewer options for cultural and relaxation spaces for the time being.

Additionally, concerns remain over the safety and appearance of the aging space beneath the bridge, including poor lighting and a deteriorated pedestrian environment.

The planned book cafe under Lake Bridge was designed as a single-story structure with a total floor area of approximately 240 square meters, featuring an eco-friendly, energy-saving design using natural materials such as wood and cork. The plan included underfloor heating to reduce reliance on conventional heating and cooling. Environmental improvements, such as repainting the underside of the bridge and repaving the ground, were also planned for the surrounding area of about 2,200 square meters.

The facility was intended to operate as a multi-purpose cultural space, combining a cafe with a library area to accommodate reading and small-scale cultural activities. The kitchen was to be compact, prioritizing the maximization of relaxation space.

The exterior walls, made of glass, were designed to appear translucent and blend with nature during the day, while serving as lanterns to illuminate the park at night. This design was expected to enhance the nighttime landscape and improve the overall quality of the park.

The plaza was also designed with user convenience and safety in mind. Granite paving stones measuring 400×400mm were to be used for visual consistency and ease of maintenance, and benches were to be installed facing the lake so that citizens could relax while enjoying the view of the water.

A Goyang Special City official stated, "It is difficult to understand the council's decision to approve the design budget but cut the entire construction budget," adding, "It is very regrettable, as this could result in the loss of cultural and emotional benefits that citizens could have enjoyed."

Currently, there is no concrete timeline for when construction of the book cafe might begin. The city plans to secure the construction budget again in the second supplementary budget scheduled for September this year, but citizens may have to wait at least another year. With the project delayed despite the design being nearly complete, disappointment and distrust among citizens who had anticipated the new relaxation space are likely to grow.