City Hall set to relocate to Camko mega-project site outside PPenh

Written by NGUON SOVAN

Tuesday, 25 November 2008 Phnom Penh Post

Critics of the move say they are concerned over the fate of the historic building that currently houses the municipal government IN a bid to alleviate chronic overcrowding at its current offices, City Hall will be relocated outside the capital to the Camko City mega-project site, Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Pa Socheatvong told the Post. "Camko City has provided us with a free gift of the premises for City Hall in Camko City," Pa Socheatvong said, adding that he did not know when the move would be made. "The current location of City Hall is small and cannot meet the expanded administrative needs of the city," Pa Socheatvong said. "We prefer the location we have been offered but we are asking for the approval of the government first." City Hall is currently located in an orderly complex on Monivong Boulevard dominated by a historic colonial building. Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay said he was concerned that the city would sell the complex once the move had been made, adding that the Camko location lacked infrastructure and was plagued by flooding and bad traffic. "We thank Camko City for offering the City Hall building free of charge, but we appeal to City Hall not to sell the current location because the building is a heritage site," Son Chhay said. Sung Bonna, president of Bonna Realty Group, said that the land of the current City Hall is worth about US$3,000 to $4,000 per square metre. Kheng Ser, assistant to DK Kim, vice president of the Camko City project, said that the company will also build an administrative building for the municipal government. "The construction of City Hall in the Camko site will start some time next year. We are now negotiating with the city to make sure what type of building style they want," Kheng Ser said. Camko City is a $2 billion development that includes residential areas, shopping malls, hospitals, business facilities, sports facilities and schools. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CHUN SOPHAL