City prepares Rp 24.5b for new look BMW Park, stadium

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 12/30/2008 6:28 PM  

The Jakarta administration has allocated Rp 24. 5 billion (US$2.2 million) for the refurbishment of Bersih, Manusiawi dan Berwibawa (BMW) Park and its new stadium in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta. 

Jakarta youth and sports agency head Ery Basworo on Tuesday told tempointeraktif.com that his office would use the fund to begin the project next year. 

"In the first stage we have set aside Rp 20 billion for the foundations and Rp 4 billion for detailed engineering designs, while the remaining Rp 500 million is for environmental analysis," Ery said, adding that his office needed a total Rp 400 billion to complete the refurbishments and stadium. 

Previously, North Jakarta public order officers tore down hundreds of dwellings on the park site, forcing thousands of illegal squatters to leave. 

The administration had announced plans to restore the 66-hectare park as part of efforts to add some 55,540 square meters to the city's green areas. The plan included the addition of an international sports stadium to the park. (ewd)