THE Cebu City Government plans to demolish an old warehouse and convert it into a public park.
The building currently occupied by the Building and Maintenance Section (BMS) of the City and which serves as storage for its equipment, is located across Senior Citizens’ Park near the legislative building of the City Hall along M.C. Briones St.
The space has 1,500 square meters.
The park will be named Magellan’s Park and will complement the historical Magellan’s Cross a few meters away.
The Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) will undertake the civil works and will soon start the clearing, as the BMS looks for another place for storage.
DEPW chief Jose Marie Poblete said it was Mayor Michael Rama’s idea to convert the old structure into an open space.
Overdue
“It was long overdue and the mayor had already made his instructions about it even before. What stalled the operation is that the BMS has to find their new place first,” Poblete told Sun.Star Cebu.
Though the old building is still strong, Poblete said it has to go after being roofless for several years.
The development is set to displace close to 30 vendors and dwellers in the area.
At present, seven legitimate vendors and 22 settlers are using the building. They have been told of the plan.
Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) chief Raquel Arce said the vendors will be given another space at the Carbon Public Market Complex.
The Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) will deal with the settlers and will conduct an evaluation if they are qualified for a relocation site.
Poblete said he 0will also suggest to Rama that a children’s playground will also be built at the Magellan’s Park. (RVC)