The Taipei City Government yesterday approved a building-use license for a temporary housing project for children undergoing cancer treatment by Ronald McDonald House Charities Taiwan in Daan District (大安), as initial opposition to the project fizzled.
Taipei City’s Construction Management Office approved the license change from a housing residence to a temporary shelter for the building located on Jinshan S Road Sec 2, in accordance with the Construction Act (建築法).
The approval of the license came after an initial dispute over the establishment of the temporary shelter in Jinan Borough (錦安). Three local residents initiated a campaign against the project last week, claiming that the diseases could be contagious and the project could hurt the district’s image.
The three residents apologized on Wednesday and said they had been “misguided.”
Taipei City Government spokesman Chang Chi-chiang (張其強) said Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) has instructed the office to help with the project’s construction.
To resolve any misunderstanding about the project in the neighborhood, the city government will hold a meeting with residents on Monday night to discuss related issues. Hau, top city officials, representatives from the charity group and local borough chiefs will attend the meeting, Chang said.
“The majority of the residents of Jinan Borough are supportive of the housing project, but a small group of people has also expressed their concern. We hope that by communicating with residents, they can gain a better understanding of the purpose of the shelter,” he said.
According to deputy chief engineer of the office Chiu Ying-jer (邱英哲), the charity group applied with the office for the building-use license change on June 15. With the approval granted, construction will proceed as scheduled.
The city’s Department of Health said the project’s objective was to offer lodging to children from out of town or overseas who are staying in Taipei for intensive treatment for cancer or cardiopulmonary diseases.
A similar center has been set up in Neihu District (內湖).
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