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Written by: Zhang Jiamin
2021-06-19 08:30
Last update date: 2021-06-19 08:30
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor recommended in his 2019 Policy Address that the Housing Authority should explore the feasibility of redevelopment of its industrial buildings into public housing.
The Housing Authority completed relevant studies earlier and plans to demolish the four industrial buildings under its jurisdiction and rebuild public housing, which can be completed as soon as 2031.
However, in the development plan, a number of industrial buildings and factories suddenly became a disadvantaged group.
One of the affected industrial buildings, the Changsha Bay Hongchang Factory Building, was originally like a "small community", witnessing the development of Hong Kong's industry. Many tenants of authoritarian hand-made products have been hiding in the industrial building, carrying "Made in Hong Kong". Mark.
The time for the forced relocation is counting down. Some tenants lamented that it is difficult to find another place to relocate. They felt that they were driven out. They even said that if they were not resettled, they would have no choice but to close their business. "It is completely made in Hong Kong." Erase this exclusive Hong Kong mark.
Mr. Liang makes "pig cage fans", which are mostly used in the galleys of ships.
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
The 37-year-old Wang Cheong Factory Building was included in the Housing Authority's plan to demolish the industrial building. There was still a lot of people and cars coming and going in the afternoon.
Some tenants describe it as a "small community". There are tenants selling flowers, others selling paint, and more importantly, it accommodates a group of sunset industries that are hard to find.
A unique Asian market for individual customers to customize "Peplum Fan
The unit rented by Mr. Liang is hidden on the 6th floor of Hongchang Industrial Building.
The dimly lit space passes through the machine and lights up, and the walls are covered with plans drawn by Mr. Liang himself.
Accompanied by the loud mechanical sound, Mr. Liang explained every step of making the "pig cage fan".
He said that the fan-making process must first prepare the drawings, then use a large machine to nail the iron plate, and then make the fan blades and fixed plates. Use it for half a month at every turn.
Hidden in the city, most of the customers who know how to touch the door to order the pig cage fan are from the crew.
Mr. Leung pointed out that the crew will install pig cage fans in the galley. "The older generation of crew members will call our company as soon as they return to Hong Kong... 400 of them are already ordered." He will make different sizes for the crew. Inch pig cage fan, "If it has a special size and is durable (durable), I will have one in Asia."
A medium-sized "pig cage fan" weighs nearly 30 pounds, but Mr. Liang said: It should not be heavy for me.
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Relocation of hard-to-find places worrying about noise problems
A medium-sized "pig cage fan" weighs nearly 30 pounds. Mr. Liang easily lifted it up with one hand, "It should not be too heavy for me." It seems that he is familiar with it, but his business was originally another light industry, specializing in making jewelry. 16 He took over his uncle’s business only a few years ago.
In the early days, the factory building was located in Quarry Bay, and the rent was increased by more than three times by the owner. Fortunately, the Hong Cheong factory building unit of the Housing Authority could be "renewed" to continue its operation. The current monthly rent is 6,000 yuan.
After the Housing Authority notified the building to be demolished earlier, he had seen other industrial units in Dajiaozui, but the asking rents had reached 20,000 to 30,000 yuan, and it was difficult to subsidize the compensation from the Housing Authority alone.
In addition to the rent problem, manufacturers must also take into account many large machines. They must have enough space during operation. Noise problems must also be dealt with. This makes it more difficult to relocate the factory. "When you go out, you get complaints." Faced with the demolition and reconstruction of industrial buildings. , He bluntly had planned for the worst.
"I will continue to do it when the resettlement is reached. If the resettlement fails, I will open the gate." The Hong Kong manufacturing seems to be rarer.
There are fewer and fewer straight heads, and they are completely made in Hong Kong.
Mr. Leung, tenant of Wang Cheong Factory Building
Factory owners find new sites and meet industrial building owners asking for sky-high prices, and some owners indicate that they refuse to rent
Mr. Liang is not the only one who has a long way to go. A company responsible for processing stainless steel plates in the Hongchang Factory Building is Mr. Li's family business.
In 40 years of business, he is already the third-generation manager. There are many large machines in the store, some of which are used to bend stainless steel plates. The production process also involves welding.
Mr. Li is a family insurance company, and his family went to other industrial building units to inquire about rents.
However, the price offered by the other party was more than twice as high. "Many landlords are aware of the news (clearance) and the rent has been increased immediately." In addition, the stainless steel plate processing process involves large machines, and some industrial buildings have indicated that they refuse to rent.
He pointed out that 400,000 to 500,000 yuan have been required for relocation costs alone, and the current compensation amount proposed by the Housing Authority is not enough for relocation costs alone.
"It's better not to move. If you want to move, will there be a place for resettlement?" He criticized that the government had zero consultation beforehand. "The result is the same as all the people in Hong Kong. In the end, they learned that they would need to be demolished and rebuilt."
Some merchants operating cast iron projects said they could not find another place to relocate or needed to close their business.
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
It's like demolishing public housing, and then asking residents to rent private buildings. Can't you talk?
Tenant of Wang Cheong Factory Building
Some tenants who did not want to be named are also determined to lose their numbers and plan to close out.
He has been operating a cast iron project for 60 years. Due to the noise generated by the process, he can only operate in the government's industrial buildings. "I can't accommodate me outside, and the industrial buildings are revitalized as office buildings. Would you want someone to isolate and live?"
The tenant feels hesitated about the road ahead, and has also thought about changing careers. "I'm so helpless, I don't think about it." The tenant criticized that the government did not take into account the local industrial development. "It's like demolishing public housing and then asking residents to rent. Private building, can't you talk?"
Mr. Li's family business operates a stainless steel project with a number of large machines.
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Demolition of 4 industrial buildings to transform public housing to provide about 4,800 units
According to the Housing Authority’s plan, it is planned to demolish 4 industrial buildings under its jurisdiction for public housing conversion, including the Kowloon Bay Yip On Factory Building, Fo Tan Sui Fai Factory Building, Cheung Sha Wan Wang Cheong Factory Building, and Kwai Chung Kwai On Factory Building.
The first three sites are expected to provide about 4,200 units in 2031; Kwai Chung Kwai On Factory Building can provide about 600 units, but the timetable has not yet been finalized.
Affected tenants or provisional permit holders will be notified for 18 months and will be given ex-gratia allowances, including rent or provisional permit fees equivalent to 15 months.
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The Housing Authority will demolish 4 industrial buildings and transform them into public housing, adding more than 4000 units to be completed in 10 years as soon as possible
Housing Authority plans to rebuild 4 industrial buildings to build public housing. Affected tenants will receive ex-gratia allowances
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