Cheongju to issue Oct. 19 tender for bus terminal modernization master plan
In short
Cheongju city said on Oct 5 it will issue a bidding notice on Oct 19 for a service to draw up a master plan for modernizing its 1999-built intercity bus terminal in Gagyeong-dong. The study covers 25,978 square metres including the terminal, taxi stand and commercial sites, is budgeted at 300 million won and runs 12 months from a start expected at the end of next month. The city will compare private sale, public-private joint development and public development, after a January tender for the sale of the site drew no bidders in February.
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Cheongju city said on Oct 5 that it will issue a bidding notice on Oct 19 for a service to establish a master plan for modernizing its intercity bus terminal, with the aim of extending the effects of development to surrounding areas rather than reworking the terminal site alone. Yonhap reported that the preferred bidder is due to be announced next month, after which negotiations and a contract would lead to the start of the service at the end of next month. [ 1 , 2 ]
The terminal was completed in 1999 in Gagyeong-dong, Heungdeok-gu, and both outlets reported that its aging facilities have repeatedly been cited as needing modernization. The service covers 25,978 square metres including the terminal, a taxi stand and commercial building sites, according to Yonhap. It is budgeted at 300 million won and is to run for 12 months from its start, finishing at the end of November next year. [ 1 , 2 ]
Ideas under review include building underground parking beneath Balsan Park and turning the surface into a plaza, making the road between the terminal and the park car-free, and moving the Gagyeong-dong administrative welfare centre to the terminal site so that public parking can be built in its place to ease chronic parking shortages at Gagyeong Terminal Market. Both outlets reported that the study will also examine a transfer system in preparation for the Chungcheong region express railway (CTX) if its route is confirmed. [ 1 , 2 ]
The city will compare private sale, public-private joint development and public development, under which the entire project cost would come from the city budget, weighing public value, feasibility and economic viability. A Cheongju city official said the city had in mind “complex development so that synergies spread to the surrounding area, not just development of the intercity bus terminal site itself,” a statement carried by both outlets. Kyunghyang said the city described this as convergent complex development intended to spread benefits to nearby commercial districts and parks. [ 1 , 2 ]
In January the city posted a tender for the sale of the terminal site, which drew no bidders in February. Yonhap reported that Mayor Lee Jang-seop then ordered the city to draw up a master plan and weigh options advantageous to the city rather than sell immediately. The existing operator holds a lease on the terminal running until May 21, 2028. [ 1 , 2 ]
The city is also considering collecting residents' views through forums and opinion polls alongside the study, after the mayor asked for more public input. Yonhap reported that the service schedule could be delayed if the mayor requires public opinion gathering to come first. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The study will determine how publicly the terminal site is developed and whether links to the nearby park, market and possible rail transfer point are improved. The choice among private sale, joint development and public development affects the city's budget and the arrangement for the current operator, whose lease runs to May 2028. If the Chungcheong region express railway is confirmed, the terminal could become a transfer hub, but the documents report no decision on that line.
Key facts
- Cheongju city plans to issue a bidding notice on Oct 19 for a service to establish a modernization master plan for its intercity bus terminal. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The terminal was completed in 1999 in Gagyeong-dong, Heungdeok-gu, and has repeatedly been cited as needing modernization. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The service covers 25,978 square metres including the terminal, taxi stand and commercial building sites, at a cost of 300 million won over 12 months. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The city will compare private sale, public-private joint development and public development, under which the entire cost would come from the city budget. [ 1 , 2 ]
- A January tender for the sale of the terminal site drew no bidders in February. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The existing terminal operator's lease runs until May 21, 2028. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Options under review include underground parking at Balsan Park with a plaza above, a car-free street between the terminal and the park, and relocating the Gagyeong-dong administrative welfare centre to free space for public parking near Gagyeong Terminal Market. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Mayor Lee Jang-seop asked for more public opinion gathering, and Yonhap reported the service schedule could be delayed as a result. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Cheongju will post a bidding notice on Oct 19 for the intercity bus terminal modernization master plan service. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The terminal, built in 1999 in Gagyeong-dong, Heungdeok-gu, is aging and has long been cited as needing modernization. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The service covers 25,978 square metres and has a budget of 300 million won over 12 months, ending at the end of November next year. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The city will compare private sale, public-private joint development and public development on public value, feasibility and economic viability. [ 1 , 2 ]
- A January tender to sell the terminal site failed in February. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The current operator's lease runs to May 21, 2028. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Underground parking at Balsan Park, a car-free street between the terminal and the park, and relocating the Gagyeong-dong administrative welfare centre are among the ideas being considered. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The study will include a transfer system in preparation for the Chungcheong region express railway (CTX) if the route is confirmed. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The city is considering collecting residents' views through forums and opinion polls. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the tender and service schedule will proceed as planned. Yonhap reported that the mayor asked for public opinion to be gathered first and that the service schedule could be pushed back; Kyunghyang did not mention this possibility.
- Which development model the city will choose. Both outlets say the city will compare options during the study; no decision is reported.
- Whether the CTX line will be built. Both outlets describe a transfer system only as a task to be examined if the line is confirmed; neither reports a decision on the line itself.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap reports Cheongju will post a bidding notice on Oct 19 for the terminal modernization master plan, with the preferred bidder to be announced next month and the service to start at the end of next month. [ 1 ]
- Kyunghyang reports the same Oct 19 notice, describing the project as complex development linked to Balsan Park and Gagyeong Terminal Market, with the service to end at the end of November next year. [ 2 ]