HOTEL IN UPPER CHANGI AREA

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development whether the Urban Redevelopment Authority has any plan to build a hotel in the Upper Changi area, in conjunction with the Changi Airport project, to accommodate persons on short stay or stopover in Singapore.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan): Sir, the Urban Redevelopment Authority has offered a site at the end of Upper Changi Road for the development of a hotel in its 8th Sale of Sites. Several tenders have been received and they are being evaluated. An award is expected to be made soon.

Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi): Sir, may I ask the Hon. Minister why this hotel project was not planned earlier in line with the airport project which is expected to be completed and become operational by the first quarter of 1981?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Sir, at that time, i.e. a few years ago, the Urban Redevelopment Authority was not very certain whether the offer of a hotel site near the Airport would have any takers because the commuters could easily travel from the Changi International Airport to the City area in a very short time by the construction of the East Coast Parkway. However, recently we have received several enquiries from parties who are interested in the development of a hotel in that area. For this reason we have offered a site.

Mr Teo Chong Tee: May I ask the Minister the likely date that this project will begin?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: I think the site will be awarded most probably sometime next month, If the successful tenderer accepts the offer, he will have to start construction within 12 months. The hotel itself will take another two years to complete. So I would say the project will be completed within three years.