New Esplanade in Penang to be launched on May 13, says MBPP secretary

GEORGE TOWN: Penangites will be able to experience the new Esplanade with the completion of its seawall upgrading project.

Penang Island City Council (MBPP) secretary A. Rajendran said the RM14mil Esplanade seawall upgrading project has been completed and will be launched on Friday (May 13).

"The project has been completed," he said in a Whatsapp text message to The Star.

Rajendran said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow will also be having a press conference at the site soon.

The seawall upgrading project involves a stretch of 460m from Medan Renong food court to the Royal Malaysian Naval Base.

It is one of 14 projects under the RM140mil North Seafront Masterplan that starts from Dewan Sri Pinang to Fort Cornwallis and the entrance to Swettenham Pier.

The project is funded by MBPP and supported by the George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC), a partnership between the Penang government and Think City.

The corporation has been formed to spearhead the rejuvenation and restoration of select public assets in the heritage site.

It is meant to enhance the appeal and value of key monuments and public open spaces, and demonstrate the value of culture-based urban regeneration in creating a sustainable heritage city.

To date, among the 14 major initiatives completed are the restoration of Koh Seang Tatt Fountain Garden, improvements to Lebuh Light streetscape, upgrading of Esplanade field subsoil system and numerous planning documents produced to assist with the physical implementation.