The Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (SHPL) has authorized the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to proceed with the Fuk Tsun Street / Pine Street development project in Tai Kok Tsui.

The authorization is given under section 24(5) of the Urban Renewal Authority Ordinance (URAO) and is published in the Gazette today (Friday).

The implementation of the project was first published on the Gazette on 16th December 2005 under section 23(1) of the URAO. This was followed by a two-month consultation period. The project was submitted to SHPL on 21st April 2006 in accordance with section 24(3) of the URAO.

The project area is bounded by Fuk Tsun Street, Pine Street and Ivy Street, covering an area of about 536 sq. m. The buildings within the project site were built in the 1950s and 1960s.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2010/11. Upon completion, the proposed development will improve the built environment and deliver a residential building with retail uses on the lower floors.

This is the first development project implemented by the URA in accordance with the URAO. The URA will issue offers to owners to acquire the 80 affected property interests within the next few months. Cash compensation or rehousing to eligible tenants will be provided upon successful acquisition of the properties.

A plan delineating the boundary of the project with a general description is available for public inspection at the URA headquarters (10/F, Low Block, Grand Millennium Plaza, no. 181 Queen¡¦s Road Central, Sheung Wan) and the URA Neighbourhood Centre in Tai Kok Tsui (G/F, Bedford Tower, 68 Bedford Road). Members of the public are welcomed to call the URA hotline at 2588 2333 or visit the URA website at www.ura.org.hk for enquiries and detailed information.