Revitalizing the Old City Center through Local Economy, Startups, and Improved Living Conditions
Completion Expected by End of 2026
Jinju City in South Gyeongsang Province announced on the 30th that it will officially begin construction of the 'Jinju Sangsang Remake Center,' a key multi-purpose facility for the Jungang District Urban Regeneration Project, with a groundbreaking ceremony held at the Nongae Market parking lot in Jungang-dong.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Mayor Cho Gyu-il, Jinju City Council Chairman Baek Seunghung, members of the South Gyeongsang Provincial Council and Jinju City Council, Kim Young, Director of the Jinju City Urban Regeneration Support Center, representatives from traditional markets, and about 100 citizens, reflecting the high level of interest in this project, which is expected to become a new turning point for revitalizing the old city center.
The 'Sangsang Remake Center' is the core anchor facility of the Jungang District Urban Regeneration Project being promoted by Jinju City. With a total project cost of 26 billion won, the center will be built on the public parking lot site of Nongae Market, covering a total floor area of 9,786 square meters, with one basement floor and six floors above ground. Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
As its name 'Sang (Commerce) Sang (Mutual) Remake' suggests, the center will serve both economic functions, such as supporting local businesses and startups, and as a space where people, generations, markets, and the city connect and coexist. It also aims to 're-make' the existing urban structure and functions, acting as a hub for revitalizing the old city center.
Accordingly, the center will feature a variety of facilities, including: spaces to support startup activities linked to the local commercial district; convenience facilities connected to traditional markets; a multipurpose auditorium and various community spaces; and a complex that encompasses the local economy, entrepreneurship, and daily life. It will also include an e-promotion center for local specialties within the traditional market, a shared kitchen, a food court, and a 'Silver Healthcare' space for the health management of market merchants and local residents. In addition, a range of urban regeneration software programs will be implemented in parallel.
In particular, considering the area's conditions, with residential neighborhoods and several traditional markets clustered nearby, a large-scale parking lot with 217 spaces will be constructed to alleviate parking inconveniences for residents and market visitors and to enhance daily convenience. As a result, the 'Sangsang Remake Center' is expected to serve not only as a hub for convenience facilities and startup spaces in the old city center, but also as a key infrastructure for improving transportation and living conditions within the city, playing a pivotal role in the urban regeneration of the Jungang District.
Meanwhile, the Jungang District Urban Regeneration Project was selected in a 2021 public contest by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, securing 19 billion won in national and provincial funding. Since 2022, the project has been underway in the old city center, including Nongae and Cheonggwa Markets and the intercity bus terminal, with the goal of revitalizing the local commercial economy and building community integration. Alongside this, street and alley maintenance, home repair projects, and resident and merchant capacity-building programs for entrepreneurship and commercial district improvement are also being carried out.
In addition to the Jungang District 'Sangsang Remake Center,' Jinju City announced that construction of other anchor facility projects will begin consecutively from next month, including the Seongbuk District Jinju N Creative Culture Center, the Gangnam District JAR Community Center, and the Sangdae District Glocal Content Campus. The city plans to further enhance the competitiveness of urban regeneration by establishing customized anchor facilities tailored to the unique characteristics and functions of each district.
Mayor Cho Gyu-il stated, "The Sangsang Remake Center was built reflecting the determination of local residents and merchants, and it will become a driving force for the co-prosperity and development of the old city center. We will establish a foundation for sustainable urban regeneration and deliver a landmark facility where citizens can directly experience the city's transformation."
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