Fort Cornwallis seafront to become commercial, cultural district

State executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo (left) with Penang Port Commission chairman Jeffrey Chew (2nd from left) unveiling the plans for the East Seafront at the Swettenham Pier today.

GEORGE TOWN: The state government plans to revive Penang’s once famed marine credentials by restoring the piers and godowns near Fort Cornwallis, beginning March next year, as part of its larger East Seafront project.

The area, spanning 4.8ha from the seafront near the fort up to the Church Street Pier, will be transformed into a commercial and cultural district, with the guidance of the World Heritage Site’s planning rules.

At a press conference today, Penang Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the project would be divided into three sections. Two of the sections are estimated to cost RM255 million.

Of this figure, RM155 million will go towards the expansion of the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal through a joint-venture between Penang Port Sdn Bhd and Royal Carribean Cruises Ltd.

Another RM100 million will go towards the conversion of the six 100-year-old godowns next to the fort into a residential, commercial and cultural district, Jagdeep said.

He said another project is the revival of the Tanjung City Marina, with a request for proposal underway.

The Tanjung City Marina, which was built at a cost of RM43 million by the federal government in 2005, fell into disuse in 2011 after all the pontoons and berths submerged.

Jagdeep said in the meantime, the state government would hold a design competition for the East Seafront project. Interested parties can liaise with his office or the Penang Port Commission. - FMT