The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is open to considering proposals for the alternative use of an abandoned two-storey hawker complex in Lengkok Erskine, apart from its original purpose as a food court.

Nicholas Theng Jie Wey, the MBPP alternate chairman of the Finance Committee, revealed that despite three previous calls for Request for Proposals (RFP), there were no takers for the hawker complex.

Handed over to the care of MBPP in 2013 after being built by a developer, the hawker complex is located on Lot 2964, Section 1, Lengkok Erskine, Taman Kristal, in George Town, covering an area of 1,070sq metres (11,517sq ft).

“Featuring 47 existing stalls on the first floor and a ground-floor car park with 29 spaces, the MBPP intends to invite tenders for the redevelopment, management and maintenance of the hawker centre. The submission deadline for proposals is set on Feb 5, 2024.

“Anyone interested in participating in this tender is required to attend a briefing session and site visit on Dec 4 (Monday),” Theng told reporters in Komtar today.

In another development, Theng also announced that MBPP is also inviting proposals through RFP process for a two-storey shophouse on Lot 376, Section 18, George Town.

The ​​land and building dimensions for this property on 26, Lebuh Armenian, are 2494sq ft and 3264sq ft respectively.

The shophouse, classified as a Category 2 heritage building with ‘Early Transitional Style’ architecture, is located within the George Town World Heritage Site.

“This building needs to be preserved and restored based on the George Town World Heritage Site Special Area Plan.

“This property had been advertised for rental and renovation without success due to the three-year rental terms.

“Now, MBPP intends to lease this property for a period of 10 years with one extension possible, up to a maximum of 20 years. The tender statement was issued on 27 November 2023 in several major newspapers, with the deadline for submissions set for 5 February, 2024.

“Interested parties are required to attend a briefing session and site visit on Dec 4 (Monday) at 9.30am,” Theng added.

Source: Buletin Mutiara