Eight Stories Above Ground
Food Complex Cultural Center, Bakery, and More
A large-scale Residential Vitality Center with one basement floor and eight above-ground floors, equipped with all convenience facilities for residents, is set to break ground in Imsil-eup, Imsil County, North Jeolla Province.
Imsil County is commencing construction of a large-scale residential vitality center with one basement floor and eight above-ground floors, equipped with all convenience facilities for residents in Imsil-eup. Photo by Imsil County
According to the county on December 22, the Residential Vitality Center is expected to serve as a key hub that not only provides residents with one-stop convenience facilities comparable to those in cities, but also revitalizes the stagnant old downtown, stimulates the nearby mountain area, and attracts new residents, thereby addressing the risk of local extinction.
The county held a groundbreaking ceremony for the “Imsil Residential Vitality Center Construction Project,” a core hub facility aimed at proactively responding to the crisis of local extinction and creating a sustainable residential environment in the Ido-ri area of Imsil-eup.
More than 100 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including County Governor Sim Min, County Council Chairman Jang Jongmin, Provincial Assemblyman Park Jeongkyu, officials from relevant organizations, and local residents. The event proceeded with a safety prayer ritual, a progress report, commemorative speeches, and congratulatory remarks.
The Imsil Residential Vitality Center will be built at 732-1, Ido-ri, Imsil-eup, on a site area of 1,747 square meters, with one basement floor and eight above-ground floors. With a total project cost of 34.7 billion won, it is a core strategic project for Imsil County, aiming for completion in 2027.
The Residential Vitality Center will house a variety of functions closely related to daily life. The first floor will feature neighborhood facilities such as a food complex cultural center and a bakery. The second and third floors will include public baths for men and women, a restaurant, and large and small meeting rooms to enhance resident welfare and community functions.
The fourth floor will provide office space and meeting rooms, serving as a collaborative space for both administrative and private sectors. The fifth floor will be equipped with a knowledge information center, a junior job experience center, and a junior playground to support the growth and learning of children and adolescents.
The sixth floor will feature sports facilities, including an indoor climbing gym, while the seventh floor will house a movie theater, creating a cultural and leisure space for all generations to enjoy together.
The Imsil Residential Vitality Center is expected to significantly increase resident utilization and satisfaction, as it will be developed as a complex living hub that organically integrates daily life, culture, welfare, and leisure, rather than focusing on a single function.
This project is a strategic investment by Imsil County to address the deepening crisis of local extinction caused by population decline and aging. It goes beyond simple construction and focuses on creating an environment where people want to stay.
It will serve as a hub that attracts not only young people and families but also meets the leisure and cultural needs of local residents, including soldiers from the nearby 35th Division.
In particular, the project is being promoted in conjunction with the Rural Center Revitalization Project and the Local Extinction Response Fund. In the mid- to long-term, it is significant in that it aims to strengthen the local residential base and improve access to public services, thereby laying the foundation for proactively responding to demographic changes.
With the Residential Vitality Center being established in the old downtown of Imsil-eup, it is also expected to help restore the functions of the stagnant urban center and revitalize the local economy. Increased use of various living and cultural facilities is projected to boost foot traffic, stimulate nearby commercial areas, and expand local consumption, leading to significant economic ripple effects.
Additionally, the county plans to expand local workforce and private sector participation in the facility’s operation, create jobs, and revitalize the community. By establishing a sustainable operating model, it aims to strengthen the region’s long-term self-sufficiency.
County Governor Sim Min stated, “The Residential Vitality Center is a representative practical project to address the crisis of local extinction facing Imsil County. We will thoroughly prepare for both the implementation and future operation of the project to improve the quality of life for residents and make Imsil a place that young people and future generations want to return to.”
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