Controversy over the Syntrend build-operate-transfer (BOT) project remains unresolved, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday in response to the complex’s opening ceremony.
“We wish them well on their opening, but accounts have yet to be cleared,” said Ko, who was noticeably absent from the opening ceremony, instead attending a ceremony to give out awards to exemplary elementary-school students.
The previous Taipei City Government had billed the 12-story building on city-owned land in Taipei’s Zhongzheng District (中正) as a conduit toward the transformation of the surrounding electronics district into a “shopping paradise” which could rival Tokyo’s Akihabara District.
However, the complex has been plagued with controversy over the terms of the contract, with businesses from the neighboring Guanghua Digital Plaza (光華數位新天地) alleging that the city government has failed to enforce terms aimed at ensuring product differentiation, along with integration with existing vendors.
“Syntrend has many unresolved problems,” Ko said, citing an unfinished skybridge to the Guanghua Plaza, controversy over external LED lights and negotiations over terms for site usage and royalties.
He said he would soon attend a meeting of the “Greater Bade Business District Alliance.”
Syntrend chairman Gou Shou-cheng (郭守正) was noticeably absent from last month’s establishment ceremony for the city-sponsored alliance, which aims to bring together Syntrend, Guanghua and neighboring businesses and schools.
“Syntrend has to be socially responsible,” Ko said. “It would unacceptable for the construction of the building to result in the decline of neighboring businesses.”
He added that he would require Syntrend to allow the city to appoint members of the board governing a foundation promoting youth entrepreneurship, which the firm is required to establish under its contract with the city.
Guanghua Market’s self-government association president Lo Chu-hsien (羅鉅憲) said that Syntrend’s opening ceremony broke its promise to the city that it would only open the complex after a controversial skybridge linking the two high-rises was completed.
Syntrend said the skybridge is to be opened by the end of next month.
Lo also said the city government should lower rents and fees paid by vendors within the city-owned Guanghua complex to ensure they remain competitive with Syntrend.
While business operators at Guanghua are required to pay NT$10,800 in monthly rent and fees per ping (3.3m2) of floor space, Syntrend is only set to pay an average of NT$100 per ping in royalties per month over the course of their 50-year contract, he said.
A NT$39 receipt for two bottles of tea at a FamilyMart was among the NT$10 million (US $312,969) special prize winners in the January-February uniform invoice lottery. FamilyMart said that two NT$10 million-winning receipts were issued at its stores, as well as two NT$2 million grand prizes and three NT$200,000 first prizes. The two NT$10 million receipts were issued at stores in Pingtung County and Yilan County’s Dongshan Township (冬山). One winner spent just NT$39 on two bottles of tea, while another spent NT$80 on water, tea and coffee, the company said. Meanwhile, 7-Eleven reported three NT$10 million winners — in New Taipei
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
ANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops are
Taiwan is concerned that China could exploit the US’ war in the Middle East, with state media citing examples from the conflict to cast doubt on the efficiency of US weapons Taiwan would use to repel an invasion. Taiwanese officials said the resumption of Beijing’s large-scale air force incursions near Taiwan after an unusual decline show that China wants to take advantage of the redeployment of US forces from East Asia to the Middle East. “This is a moment for China to exercise influence,” a senior Taiwanese security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “What China is trying to create is a
RSS