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FANNY W. Y. FUNG


When the Avenue of Stars project was awarded to New World Development without an open tender in 2003, the idea of upping the glam factor at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront met with little opposition.
But 12 years down the line, the developer is shrouded in controversy for trying to exercise its exclusive right to redevelop and expand the project, even sparking queries from Town Planning Board members.
A former lawmaker, who objected to the lack of a bidding process back in 2003, said the resistance to the plan showed Hongkongers were increasingly wary.
"The social atmosphere has changed and there are more negative labels on developers," Fred Li Wah-ming, of the Democratic Party, said.
"People have become more vigilant of what developers do."

Watch: Are local and tourists in favour of a new Avenue of Stars?
The idea to build a 440-metre Avenue of Stars stretching between the Cultural Centre and the developer's New World Centre was first floated in 1998 by the Hong Kong Tourist Association.
The Tourism Board approached the private sector for sponsorship and, in 2003, the government accepted New World's sponsorship of more than HK$30 million to build the avenue in return for 20 years of sole operating rights, effective from April 2004 when the avenue was opened. The only facility in the whole project to have its operating rights put up for public tender was a coffee house.
When the Legislative Council's panel on economic services discussed the plan in May 2003, Li was the only member to complain about the absence of open bidding, the minutes showed. His party colleague, Sin Chung-kai, asked if the government could end New World's operating right early if its management performance was below par.
Both the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and the Liberal Party supported the government's partnership with New World.
Li recalled why he raised objections at the time. "There should have been a process as fair and as open as possible," he said.
"If a public space fell into the hands of a single developer, the government could easily lose control over how the place was managed. In fact, the Tourism Board could have taken up the operation by itself."


Avenue of the Stars in the hands of a single developer: how wary should Hongkongers be?

Plan to revamp Hong Kong's famous Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront greeted with scepticism by locals and tourists

Lights out for Avenue of Stars as iconic Hong Kong site set to shut down for three years despite public outcry

Tourists look on as a Chinese actor mirrors the fighting skills of film icon Bruce Lee at the Avenue of Stars, which offers great views of the Hong Kong skyline. Photo: Samantha SinPhoto: Edward Wong

Tourists pose with statues on the Avenue of Stars, which offers great views of the Hong Kong skyline. Photo: Samantha Sin

An artist’s impression of the proposed food hub on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The project would add three new buildings to the waterfront, where New World Development is a major business owner. Photo: May Tse

The Leisure and Culture Services Department and New World estimated that pedestrian flow on the now-quiet eastern section of the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade would increase by more than 10 at peak hours after the construction of more attractions - from the present 200 people per hour to 3,000. Photo: Edmond So

A girl poses for picture with a plaque bearing pop singer Leon Lai-ming's handprints on the Avenue of Stars. Photo: Sam Tsang

Many tourists come to the avenue to pose with Bruce Lee's iconic statue on the harbourfront. Photo: Jonathan Wong

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

When the Avenue of Stars project was awarded to New World Development without an open tender in 2003, the idea of upping the glam factor at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront met with little opposition.
