Shuttering of museums for up to three years is for 20th anniversary of handover, sources say
ALLEN AU-YEUNGallen.auyeung@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Monday, 21 September, 2015, 5:56am
UPDATED : Monday, 21 September, 2015, 1:03pm
The controversial closure of major landmarks on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront for a facelift over the next few years is part of preparations for celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the handover, sources close to the government have disclosed.
The Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Museum of Art are all closing for periods ranging from one to four years, with their closures overlapping each other by at least five months.
The shuttering of the Space Museum and 440-metre promenade that hosts the Avenue of Stars will start on October 5, as soon as the mainland's three-day holiday period for National Day comes to an end. The Museum of Art has already closed, shutting its doors on August 3.
The Space Museum will shut on October 5. Photo: Nora Tam
Sources close to the government said one reason behind the renovation of the venues was to set the stage for celebrations in 2017 marking the 20th anniversary of the city's handover to the mainland and the start of a new term of office for the chief executive.
Completion of the Space Museum renovation is due at the end of 2016 while part of the Avenue of Stars, Salisbury Garden, is due to be re-open in 2017. The Musuem of Arts is scheduled to return in 2019.
Earlier this month, the Town Planning Board conditionally approved a plan by a non-profit subsidiary of New World Development to extend the avenue eastwards by 500 metres. New World will be allowed to continue managing the area until 2035.
Critics said the renovation plan, particularly for the Avenue of Stars, should have undergone a public consultation and that the three-year block on access to the waterfront was excessive.
Proponents said the revamp would provide a much-needed touch-up for the area after decades of heavy use, and would make it more attractive.
"Closing the promenade for three years is too long," said Paul Zimmerman, a member of the Harbourfront Commission, which is tasked with revitalising the waterfront.
"I can understand the museum has to be closed for two years ... but they'd better consult the community.
"The problem is the public has not been involved in the design and re-planning. That's a big worry," he added. "The idea of having the private sector paying to fix the area, that's not bad. It's good to have more than one funding source."
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department would not comment on whether the closures were related to handover celebrations, and only said the area was in need of renovation.
The department is due to launch two public engagement exercises on how the Avenue of Stars should be revitalised later this month, which will last until June next year. It will also submit a report to the Harbourfront Commission.
Tourism sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing said the tourism industry favoured upgrading the promenade, but New World could have done a better job of explaining its plan to nearby hotels and bars, some of which have expressed concerns construction work will take way business.
To keep the show going, the department said some artwork on the waterfront including bronze statues of Bruce Lee, Anita Mui Yim-fong and McDull would be relocated to the Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront podium garden from November 15.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1860018/closure-tsim-sha-tsui-museums-prepare-hong-kongs-2017-handover
