New waterfront public park for Penangites soon

GEORGE TOWN: Penangites will soon get to enjoy a new waterfront public park on the Gurney foreshore to be called Gurney Wharf.
The Gurney Wharf will be built on land to be reclaimed by Tanjung Pinang Development Sdn Bhd (TPD), a subsidiary of premier lifestyle property developer Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O).
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government wants to create a new iconic waterfront destination for Penang on par with international standards, adding that the massive masterplan is expected to cost hundreds of millions of ringgit.
"It will be a key touch point on an international benchmark," he told a press conference accompanied by state Local Government, Traffic and Flood Mitigation committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow and Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari.
The proposed Gurney Wharf concept masterplan encompasses four district character areas which are seaside retail food & beverages, water gardens, beach and coastal grove.
Lim said the state aspires to create a spacious, multi-functional public park and commended E&O for the group's initiative in engaging award-winning international consultants at its own cost to prepare the proposed masterplan concept.
"The consultants GDP Architects for the overall masterplan, Grant Associates for landscaping and Jerde for retail F&B — are highly acclaimed with an impressive portfolio that includes the Aga Khan-award winning Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (GDP), Gardens by the Bay in Singapore (Grant) and Roppongi Hills, Japan (Jerde), " he said.
He also said a series of exhibitions will be displayed at Komtar and Gurney Plaza from this week to next week to obtain public feedback.
Land reclamation works along the seafront in Gurney Drive is expected to start by the end of March while fencing works for safety purposes is scheduled to start by the end of this month.