A Mall to be Built by Rembang Beach

Tempo Interactive, Tuesday, 02 February, 2010 | 21:02 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Rembang:The Rembang government will build a four-storey mall at the Kartini Beach Recreational Park parking lot. “We are now planning the design,” said Hari Susanto, the Rembang branch of Regional Development Planning Agency chief, yesterday. The mall construction will need a 3.000 meter square area. The main building will be located on the east side of the parking lot and some parts of the tourism site. “The mall can attract tourists from inside and outside of the city,” Hari said.

The mall was initially intended to be located at a terminal, but Kartini Beach was chosen because it is located strategically by the beach and near the Java northern coast road. It can also support Rembang’s development. “We have potential investors,” Hari said. The problem is that the mall is also close to a traditional market, so the vendors are rejecting the plan. “We hope the regency government cancels the plan,” said Edi Purwanto, a vendor. The mall would also lead to less people going to the traditional market. According to Edi, sales have gone down in the past two years. He only earns Rp 400.000 in one week. “It will be difficult for traditional market sellers to compete with the mall,” said Karli, the Rembang Market Seller Association board member.

BANDELAN AMARUDIN