Penang to get heritage experts to preserve Chowrasta Bazaar
By K. KASTURI DEWI - Friday March 19, 2010 ; The Star
THE state will engage heritage experts to carry out a study on how to preserve the heritage value of the more than century-old Chowrasta Bazaar in Penang Road.
Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik said the state was also holding talks with Think City Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Khazanah Holdings, and the Penang Municipal Council on methods to revive the building, which is having some structural problems.
“Plans to redevelop the bazaar this year could not be carried out due to insufficient funds. The council’s allocation of RM1mil is not enough and the state has to look at other options to raise the money.
“If options are made available for the re-development of the bazaar is feasible, then work on the project could start next year,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Plans to redevelop the building began in 2002 and there were proposals to relocate the traders at the bazaar to Jalan S.P. Chelliah.
However, the idea had been scrapped two years ago due to long-standing problems such as objections by the traders and insufficient budget.
Built in 1890 by George Town municipality, the front portion of the bazaar facing Penang Road was rebuilt in 1920.
Source: The Star
