Ideas invited to make George Town vibrant

THE public can give their input on how to rejuvenate George Town in a survey to be carried out for the setting up of Asia’s first Business Improvement Districts (BIDS).

George Town Grants Programme director Dr Neil Khor (pic) said the George Town BIDS project was a public-private partnership where businesses work together with the local council to enhance existing local council services, ensure security and improve cleanliness in the BIDS area.

“It brings together the main businesses around Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (Komtar) including the Penang Development Corporation, Ivory Properties and Gama Departmental Store.

“The group also has the support from the Prangin Mall joint management body and Traders Hotel,” he said.

The survey will be held at Level Three, Komtar, this Friday and at the Komtar Walk on Saturday, from 10am to 6pm on both days.

Dr Khor said there were plans to turn Komtar and the Datuk Keramat area into a shopping district connecting all the shopping malls there with sidewalks being built.

“It will become a shopping district within walking distance from one mall to another, just like the Shibuya district in Tokyo,” he said during a press conference by state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow at his office yesterday.

Chow said if successful, the George Town BIDS would be the first in Asia.

“Other examples include the New York Times Square and London’s South Bank.

“Komtar and its surrounding areas have a lot of potential and this must not go to waste, hence, the BIDS project,” he said, adding that all ideas and input to make the place more appealing are welcome. - The Star