Relocation of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station to Woodlands / Railway Corridor Discussion

[Mith252]

Some news on the Rail Corridor.


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[Mith252]

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[Mith252]

Some event being held at the old station.


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[Mith252]

This was reported in Straits Times yesterday. Here is another article in Propertyguru.com.sg

Tanjong Pagar flats to be rented out to low-income households
Oct 10, 2012 - PropertyGuru.com.sg
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:

After being left vacant for one year, two blocks of flats near the defunct Tanjong Pagar Railway Station will be rented out to low-income households starting November. They will be leased under HDB’s Public Rental Scheme (PRS) and Interim Rental Housing (IRH) scheme, reported The Straits Times.

The flats comprise 318 units; of which, 208 are one- to two-room flats that will be offered under PRS, while the remaining 110 three-room flats will be rented out under the IRH. At present, the flats are undergoing painting and refurbishment work.

The rental prices of these flats are heavily subsidised. Rentals for households earning S$800 or less range between S$26 and S$165 per month, while those earning S$800 to S$1,500 will need to pay S$90 to S$275 each month.

According to a spokesman for the Housing Board, the flats will be earmarked for applicants on HDB’s waiting list. These flats will have a tenancy period of two years but subject for renewal.

Furthermore, the IRH scheme is targeted at households presently waiting for public rental flats and families who need urgent accommodation. It also caters to households who need some time to work out their finances before they can afford open-market rents or to buy smaller flats.

Commenting on HDB’s move, Nicholas Mak, Research Head at SLP International, said: “With regard to the supply crunch on available flats, these units can help to bring a bit of relief to those who need rental flats immediately.”

Meanwhile, the Singapore Land Authority is calling on interested parties to bid to rent a bungalow in Spooner Road. The property can be used as an eldercare facility or childcare centre.

source: Property Guru

[xtemujin]

Yes, they have repainted it and some minor renovation.

[Mith252]

Originally Posted by xtemujin

Yes, they have repainted it and some minor renovation.

Nice. Thanks for the info. I guess it makes sense until they can figure out what to do with the huge piece of land.

[Mith252]

Some news on a bungalow in Kampong Bahru.

SLA invites tenders for old bungalow in Kampong Bahru
By Lip Kwok Wai / Alice Chia | Posted: 21 October 2012 2026 hrs


The Running Bungalow at Spooner Road.

SINGAPORE: An old bungalow in Kampong Bahru may be developed into a childcare, student care or eldercare facility.

Built in the 1930s, the Running Bungalow at Spooner Road has an area of 1,010 square metres (sqm) with a total usable floor area of around 569 sqm.

It sits on land formerly owned by the Malaysian State Railway, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).

The building was a rest stop for train drivers, and since Singapore took over the land last year, it has remained vacant.

Earlier this month, the Singapore Land Authority invited tenders for the building. Monthly rental is about S$11,400, with an initial tenancy term of three years. Operators can request to renew their tenancy for two terms of three years each.

However, analysts feel the structure of the building makes it unsuitable as an old folks' home.

Nicholas Mak, head of research at SLP International, said: "Just across the street, there is already a larger eldercare facility, an old folks home. Hence, the competition will be fiercer from across the road.

"Furthermore, this is an old building that is two storeys. And because the lease is not very long, the maximum is about up to nine years, the operator may not wish to invest a large sum of money into building new infrastructure, such as a vertical lift in this building."

Although the building is at least 80 years old, the Urban Redevelopment Authority said it is not a conservation project. As such, operators have greater flexibility in carrying out renovation works.

The building is also being put into interim use until the development plan for the area is finalised.

-CNA/ac

source: CNA

[Mith252]

HDB is using the old quarters flats for rental.

Spooner Rd flats available for HDB rental
Posted: 09 November 2012 1609 hrs

SINGAPORE: Two blocks of flats at Spooner Road that previously housed the Malayan Railway staff are now available for some interim use.

Writing on his Facebook page, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the termination of the Malayan Rail at Woodlands had a surprising outcome for the Housing and Development Board (HDB). Mr Khaw described it as "a pleasant surprise".

There are 318 units in the two blocks of flats. Mr Khaw said HDB decided to spruce them up for HDB rental. The first batch of tenants will move in next month.

Mr Khaw said the 1-room and 2-room flats will meet the needs of lower income families under the Public Rental Scheme.

The 3-room flats will be available under the Interim Rental Housing Scheme.

- CNA/xq

source: CNA

Here are some of the pictures from the minister's facebook.


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source: Khaw Boon Wan's Facebook Page

[Mith252]

News on some demolition of old structures near Bukit Timah station.

11 structures near former Bt Timah railway station being demolished
By Lip Kwok Wai | Posted: 25 December 2012 1827 hrs

SINGAPORE: Since last month, demolition works have been carried out on 11 small buildings and structures near the former Bukit Timah Railway Station.

The works are expected to be completed next month.

The structures include gate huts along the Rail Corridor at Bukit Gombak, Stagmont Ring, Sungei Kadut, Blackmore Drive and Tanglin Halt.

Many of the huts were work stations of railway workers previously.

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) says the structures have been assessed to be structurally unsound, and are being demolished for safety reasons.

The authorities have also put up signs to inform the public to keep away from the structures.

SLA will also work with relevant agencies to identify suitable existing plots along the Rail Corridor for short-term uses, such as rest stops or rain shelters for the public.

Since April this year, the former Bukit Timah and Tanjong Pagar Railway Stations have been open to individuals and organisations for activities.

They are on land formerly occupied by Malayan Railways or Keretapi Tanah Melayu, but which has since reverted to the State.

Next month, a competitive run will be held along the Rail Corridor.

SLA says since April, it has approved 28 applications to hold activities along the corridor.

As survey works are currently being carried out at the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, it will remain closed to the public. Details on its re-opening will be announced at a later date.

Mr David Poh, Senior Director of PropNex Realty, said: "The railway tracks extend across many areas. If you conserve too many structures along the tracks, it will affect development plans. We need to strike a balance between conservation and modernity."

- CNA/de

source: CNA

[Mith252]

Same news reported by TODAY.


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source: TODAY

[Mith252]

An event was held along the Railway Corridor.

About 6,000 take part in Green Corridor Run
By Olivia Siong | Posted: 27 January 2013 1625 hrs

SINGAPORE: What used to be a rail line became a running track on Sunday morning, as about 6,000 runners raced down a green pathway, known as the Rail Corridor.

The race, which was flagged off by Acting Minister for Manpower and Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin, started at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.

The route was 10.5 kilometres long and ended at Bukit Timah Railway Station.

The fastest runner took about 34 minutes, while the first woman to finish took about 41 minutes.

32-year-old Samson Tenai from Kenya was the overall winner in the male category. He completed the race in 34 minutes and 11 seconds.

As for the winner of the female category, 26-year-old Rosie Clarke from the United Kingdom, completed the race in 41 minutes and 42 seconds.

The event, which is supported by smartphone company, BlackBerry, aims to raise awareness of the value of the area.

Gail Brennan, director of marketing at BlackBerry Singapore said: "It's special because it's part of an old conservation trail, which has sort of been abandoned for many years. People haven't really been allowed to enjoy it or be a part of it. It's a relic that many Singaporeans remember very fondly. I think that it's great that it's opened up again and people can enjoy it."

- CNA/xq

source: CNA

[Mith252]

News from 90 cents.


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source: The Straits Times

[Mith252]

News from yesterday's 90 cents.


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source: The Straits Times