Huge bash to mark City Square opening

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KOTA KINABALU: The city waterfront project along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, which features among other public facilities a City Square and a 2.1km boardwalk, will change the facade of the state capital.

Koh (left) briefing Masidi and Iliyas on the work progress on the waterfront development project.- Photo by Aniq Azraei

Work on the project is in progress and there is no truth in the claims that it has stopped, said Johnson Koh, the executive director of Waterfront Urban Development Sdn Bhd, which is undertaking the project.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun and Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim, who visited the project site yesterday, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work.

The 2.1 kilometre boardwalk from Anjung Senja to Hyatt Regency Kinabalu is expected to be the main attraction among the public as it offers a great view of the sea and islands.

The City Square or Dataran Bandaraya will be officially opened on Dec 31, which is New Year’s Eve.

Masidi told reporters after the inspection that work on the project was on schedule and he was happy with the progress as it now only needs some touch-up and beautification of the area.

“Some of the components will have traditional motifs to reflect the rich heritage of Sabah,” he said, adding that the ultimate plan was to connect the boardwalk with the existing one behind Hyatt Regency Kinabalu.

Iliyas disclosed that City Hall is planning a huge bash to celebrate the official opening of the state capital’s very own City Square.

The event, which will also usher in the New Year, will be officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman who chose the name Dataran Bandaraya for the square, he said.

“We have lined up several activities for the night including a concert by Stacy and other local artists, and a fireworks show at midnight,” he told reporters after accompanying Masidi in inspecting the newly renovated Anjung Senja and the work on the boardwalk as well as Dataran Bandaraya.

So far, the 500-metre boardwalk is the only component of the square that is yet to be completed and the developer of the project gave his assurance that it will be completed by Dec 31 as the the overall work progress on the boardwalk was 40 per cent complete.

On the 3.12-acre waterfront project, Koh said it is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2012, with super structure work expected to commence by the end of this year.