This one is long over due. Govt should take back Boat quay, re-package it and sell to a single developer like Capitaland to redevelop.

Boat quay is taking over Geylang soon for touting. :lol::lol:

Party central: The 'new' riverfront
Tan hui leng
huileng@mediacorp.com.sg

FIRST, it was Orchard Road and Mandai. Now, a major makeover for the Singapore River.
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Today has learnt that the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) unveiled plans to transform the historic river into a lively 24-hour waterfront precinct at a closed-door meeting yesterday with about 50 key stakeholders. They include operators of food, beverage and entertainment outlets that dot the area.
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The "hardware" changes will start from April and take up to a year to complete. Boat Quay, Empress Place and Clarke Quay will be revamped first, before the F1 inaugural race starts in September, while Robertson Quay and Zouk will complete their makeover after that.
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A source who was at the meeting told Today that the Singapore River Revitalisation Plan will involve several government agencies. The makeover aims not only to turn the waterfront area into another key tourist attraction but also keep racing fans happily occupied day and night during the Singapore Grand Prix Season.
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First up on the agenda: "Hardware" changes such as new lamp posts, information boards, a facelift for the steps outside the UOB Plaza, jellyfish-like lighting under the river itself, and the familiar diesel-powered bumboats making way for electric ones.
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The latter will pick up and drop off visitors along the river, from the Sands Integrated Resort at Marina Bay — when it opens next year — to Zouk at Jiak Kim Street.
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To complement the new hardware is more software, in the form of activities such as the inaugural Singapore River Festival, which was first announced by Minister of State (Trade and Industry) S Iswaran on Jan 31.
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The 10-day festival — possibly from Sept 19 to Sept 28 — will coincide with the Grand Prix and include concerts and parties. As Today reported last November, there will also be a self-propelled stage along the river, which will serve as a venue for arts and cultural events, performances as well as corporate functions.
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Other events believed to be under consideration include an outdoor party to mark the F1 race.
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The Uniquely Singapore Weekends Campaign, which started last year, will also be continued, the idea being that on any given weekend, there will always be something exciting for visitors here to experience, from partying to shopping to eating.
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While the grand plans were welcomed by participants at yesterday's closed-door session, Today understands that they also had some concerns.
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Some wondered whether the initiatives would actually translate into better business since the high hotel room rates during the F1 event may end up causing potential visitors to stay away from Singapore during this period.
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They noted that the World Bank/International Monetary Fund conference here in 2006 did not result in the projected windfall for many businesses. Many delegates were not able to do much shopping since most of the outlets were already closed by the time their official activities ended.
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Also, some wanted to know why the STB appeared to be targeting only weekends and not weekdays — given that most outlets are already enjoying good business on Saturdays and Sundays.
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Such concerns aside, at least one food and beverage operator at Boat Quay is hopeful that the makeover plans will herald a rebirth of an area once known for its exciting night life but in recent years has acquired a reputation as a dodgy tourist trap.
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"It's a very, very positive effort," said Mr JR Wong, general manager of the BQ Bar at Boat Quay, when told of the plans by Today.
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"Now the lights are quite dim, some of the trees and plants look like they should be replaced and there's a lot of touting. Any revamp would make it a better place," said Mr Wong, whose bar has been operating there for about five years.
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Also, experience has shown that business improves when special events are held in the area, Mr Wong added. "Events like the Singapore River Regatta and the Duck Race create a lot of awareness and bring about interest in this part of town."

i wonder how are they goin to stop the touting even after the renovations?

S'pore River to get makeover to add buzz to waterfront nightlife

By Tessa Wong

THE Singapore River, already a throbbing night-life spot, will get a large-scale makeover to add even more buzz to the waterfront area.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on Friday morning announced plans to make it rock round the clock.

These include infrastructural improvements such as new lighting and signs, as well as adding a new river festival and other quayside events.

These are part of the effort to create more night-time buzz in the area, said Ms Margaret Teo, assistant chief executive (leisure) at the STB.

'Like Orchard road and the Marina Bay precincts, the Singapore River has the potential to stand out as a distinctive 24-hour entertainment lifestyle destination,' she said.

According to a 2006 survey by the STB, only 7 per cent of visitors polled actually visited Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, despite the fact that the STB has touted them as one of Singapore's must-see sights.

The STB and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said the makeover will run into the millions but will cost less than the US$40 million facelift for Orchard Road.

The bulk of the costs will go towards infrastructural works.

The river enhancement project will be carried out in two phases, with the first expected to start in April and end in August, in time for the Formula One races Singapore is hosting in September.

It will see ambient lighting installed along the bridges, trees, river walls, boat landings, and staircases from Cavenagh Bridge to Clarke Quay.

These will include programmable lighting on bridges and underpasses, 'jellyfish' lights in the water, and even lit-river taxis.

Other improvements will include new signs and themed street furniture that will match each sub-precinct.

The second phase, to start in October and expected to be completed by March next year, will see similar improvements made to the area stretching from Robertson Quay to Kim Seng Bridge, near Zouk.

Cruise operators will also increase river taxi and cruise services along the river.

The STB will complement the 'hardware' with 'software', which will include a signature event - the Singapore River Festival - to be held from Sept 19 to 28 as a lead-up to the F1 season.

It will include a mega concert on the river, a river float parade, outdoor parties, art exhibitions, and food and beverage promotions.

The STB will work with stakeholders in Empress Place and Clarke Quay to develop their own themed events.

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eeeekkkkkk so cliché the bunkboats

the river is so murky. i wonder how would the lights shine through.

Young ppl and uncle still using river as spittoon and throwing cig butts.:bash:This is still SG.How to teach them.

Young ppl and uncle still using river as spittoon and throwing cig butts.:bash:This is still SG.How to teach them.

have to admit...spitting into the river is quite fun :lol:

anyways....will the river stop flowing once the marina barrage is completed?

This project is so reminiscent of Seoul's rejuvenation of the dunnowhat river, only that one looks nicer (from K-Dramas)

Hopefully the new look is cool and not too cheesy nor touristy.

The river won't stop flowing. Singapore River is "powered" by drains serving the south and central regions. The Kallang River/Canal, also acts as a spill-way for certain reservoirs just in case the water limit is breached.

spitting into the river is fun? how is it fun?

spitting into the river is fun? how is it fun?

can see a tiny splash when the saliva (make sure its thick enough) hits the water and by performing an action that causes a reaction, one can feel that he has contributed to the events of planet earth.

just bullshitting.

it's just childishly fun just like the times when u splashed water at ur siblings for no reason during early childhood days.

Omg, if I see you doing that, I'd hate you. And my best friend who's now in police would probably do something...

can see a tiny splash when the saliva (make sure its thick enough) hits the water and by performing an action that causes a reaction, one can feel that he has contributed to the events of planet earth.

just bullshitting.

it's just childishly fun just like the times when u splashed water at ur siblings for no reason during early childhood days.

huuh... but spitting is so.... ugly......... and .... why dont you just pour a bottle of water into the river?? make sure its clean water though....

ei people... just joking lah :D

never really spit into singapore river b4. the most also when i came during my younger days and let my saliva drool into the river.

River Radiance

Already a popular and thriving hive of activity, the Singapore River will soon undergo further enhancements and, also, host a new slew of events to make it into an even more compelling 24-hour waterfront lifestyle destination.

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The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have recently outlined details of the hardware and software plans for the Singapore River precinct, which will stretch from Cavenagh Bridge at the mouth of Singapore River to Kim Seng Bridge some three kilometres upstream. In the pipeline are developments that will accentuate the historic district’s unique features and distinctive charm by night. These include new lighting installations, as well as the staging of new signature events to brand the different quays along the river.

Of boats, bridges and bright lights

The range of infrastructural changes planned for the Singapore River include new ambient and programmable light fittings, street furniture such as benches, enhanced signage and attractive storyboards that carry information on the history and development of the quays. Essential tourist information, street directories, landscaping, as well as new bumboat landing points and ticketing kiosks will also be incorporated.

A key feature of the infrastructural enhancements, the lighting plan comprises the installation of programmable lights at the Read and Cavenagh bridges, special lighting for four underpasses at Boat Quay, Empress Place and Clarke Quay, under-bridge lighting for the Clemenceau, Coleman and Elgin bridges, floating lights on the river, as well as new street lamps and lighting of trees along the entire three-kilometre stretch of the Singapore River. Together, these will create a distinct nightscape and streetlevel experience for visitors to the Singapore River.

The new lighting initiatives at the Singapore River are implemented from URA’s Lighting Masterplan drawn up in 2006. This Masterplan aims to enhance and emphasise Singapore’s unique features as a tropical metropolis and garden city, covering key districts in the city centre, which includes the Singapore River. The lighting proposals for the Singapore River centred on enhancing the visual element of the water and accentuating the shimmering effects of the water surface to provide a warm and inviting promenade ambience.

The first phase of infrastructural works from Cavenagh Bridge to Clarke Quay is expected to commence in April 2008, with some of the enhancements targeted for completion in time for the 2008 FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix in September. The second phase of works, from Robertson Quay to Kim Seng Bridge, is expected to be launched in October 2008, with final completion targeted in March 2009.

Revels by the river

Over the next few years, visitors to the Singapore River can also look forward to the addition of other exciting and engaging lifestyle elements. The URA will soon launch the tender for the construction of a mobile floating stage at Boat Quay. This floating venue will be a platform for a range of colourful cultural and arts performances including concerts and dance acts.

The STB has also been working to create an annual calendar of events for each quay, and the river precinct as a whole, to complement these material improvements. The Singapore River Festival, envisioned as an annual highlight, will be developed as the signature event. To be held in September, the inaugural festival will feature activities at the various quays including a mega concert on the river with international artistes and a river float parade. In addition, at different times of the year, each quay will organise a new and distinctive event that will mirror its unique character and personality.

Reflections by the river

Since the big river clean-up in the early 1980s, the Singapore River has been given a new lease of life with the Masterplan drawn up by the URA in 1985. The Masterplan sets out to revitalise the area by retaining old buildings of architectural merit and historical importance. It also seeks to develop new buildings at a compatible scale, as well as introduce river-oriented activities and accessibility.

Bridges constructed at strategic locations along the three-kilometre stretch of the river improved connectivity across both river banks and along the waterfront. Urban design guidelines were drawn up to create a distinctive character for the river, while outdoor refreshment areas were introduced along its banks. Street furniture was carefully selected to bring out the area’s character, and imaginative public sculptures and statues were installed to add a touch of art.

Near the river mouth stands a number of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks including The Fullerton Singapore (formerly the General Post Office building), Cavenagh Bridge and Anderson Bridge.
The URA constructed the first stretch of promenade at the nearby Boat Quay in 1992, artfully conserving over a hundred shophouses which have been developed into a popular dining enclave
and watering hole.

Across at Empress Place, trendy restaurants and chill-out spots are situated amidst the city’s most significant historic landmarks which include Raffles’ Landing Site, The Arts House (formerly the Old Parliament House), Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall and the Asian Civilisations Museum.

The Clarke Quay conservation area was a URA sale site in the 1980s, where low-rise warehouses of good architectural value were conserved. Managed by CapitaLand, the area recently completed an $80 million makeover. Waterfront godowns bustle again with a kaleidoscopic collection of restaurants, clubs and entertainment outlets such as international brand names like The Ministry of Sound. Clarke Quay is also home to thrill rides such as the exhilarating GX-5 Xtreme Swing and the G-MAX Reverse Bungy. Last year’s opening of Central, a $500 million mixed retail and home office development managed by Far East Organisation, added even more retail and dining options to the precinct.

Further upstream at Robertson Quay, a more tranquil ambience for dining and entertainment by the river awaits visitors. This area’s popular alfresco dining outlets, wine bars and arts establishments complement its more laid-back and relaxing atmosphere.

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