Update (13 October): Anglican Diocese has no plans to sell St Nicholas site, says Ng
Developers are eyeing the 2.4ha land on which sits St Nicholas’ Home, run by the Anglican Church. The home will probably have to move to an alternative site from its present landmark site at Bagan Jermal.
See full story on Business Times.
The area is presently designated for education use.
What do you think? Is this a good idea? Much depends on how many pupils are using the present premises, how accessible the alternative site is to surrounding amenities and volunteers and how conducive the environment is.
That said, are we witnessing a larger trend here: low-income groups and the marginalised including people with disabilities being forced to move out of urban areas because the land on which they are residing or using is now seen as prime land, on which developers can make tons of money.
It is a trend which first began around the turn of the millennium when the inner city residents of George Town were forced out of their homes because of the lifting of rent control.
And we will be seeing this happening time and time again as property prices soar beyond the level of the average income of the ordinary people.
| Please help to support this blog if you can. Read the commenting guidlelines for this blog. |
I suppose it is up to the church, tell this fellows not to be greedy and try to put in more money to do up the place with new buildings and facilities for the blind. They are used to this place, it is convenient for them and volunteers. No need to fix something that is not broken.
If I am not wrong the Uplands School site in balik pulau was also with some missionary organisation, they sold it and now you will have a monstrosity there.
Good Luck!
Since the Home belongs to the 7th Day Adventist Church, it could be good move for them to get a much bigger and new property if they push off this place to a developer. Understand that the buildings are very old, and it would cost a pile to maintain these buildings due to wear & tear, leaks, clogged pipes and drainage, old wirings – the list can go on.
Strategically there would be no good reason for the inmates and day students to be located there. As long as they don’t get dumped into one corner in Seberang
hi Sam, I believe it belongs to the Anglican Church.
What ppl are worried about is that the owners may not prioritise the needs of the home. I can understand because right now the home is located very strategically. It is close to shopping areas, recreation centres like Gurney Drive, Botanical Gns, Youth Park and even to the major hospitals in town. There is also good bus access right in front of the home. What’s more is that the state govt has recently taken the trouble to upgrade pedestrian and disabled friendly facilities along that stretch making the surrounding areas mentioned above accessible to the blind. Gottlieb road is now… Read more »
Yes, well put. They can even walk up using the pedestrian walkway right up to the shopping centre near Adventist Hospital.
At the moment, they are part of the fabric of urban life. Will they be shunted further away from the city to make way for the ‘beautiful people’ in expensive condos or other exclusive facilities?
The land is owned by the church, who are we to complain about even when the church is succumed to the lure of profits??
It’s the owner choice Harvest the huge gains And get a bigger piece of land In time that land too will appreciate The inmates may want to live A quiet place than bustling streets They are visually impaired Currently nearby to amenities The area now bustling with activities In business it is the wealth creation When there is money to be made The owner will not run away… As long as it is a good deal A bigger piece of land on the mainland In time it will worth the relocation And new facilities for the home The inner city… Read more »
Like you said it all depends on the alternative site the developers will provide. If they exchange it for a bigger piece of land which is equally accessible and further equips it with newer, upgraded infrastructure I would say it is a good deal. After all, the home does not have to be sited on prime land. It can exchange this advantage for more space and facilities which will better serve the needs of the children it currently houses. There is no question that the land it is currently on is extremely valuable and I would fetch a handsome sum… Read more »