Old Siglap flats to be demolished

By Shabnam Muzammil:

Four blocks of low-rise HDB flats (pictured) at the junction of East Coast Road and Siglap Road are set to be demolished under the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), The Straits Times reported.

Officially opened in 1964 by Siglap assemblyman Rahim Ishak, the flats were built to house residents whose homes were destroyed by a fire in 1962.

The development was never upgraded despite having no lifts and each block is served by a single staircase. Most of the 117 units are two-bedders, with a third comprising rental flats.

54-year old resident Mary Lee, a social welfare worker, said: "This place is very quiet and very peaceful. I will miss this place because I go to East Coast Park for exercise every day and the food here is very nice."

Meanwhile, SERS provides the current flat owners with priority in acquiring units at a new site in Chai Chee Road at subsidised prices. Shopkeepers who qualify for compensation will receive S$60,000 and 10 percent off the rent if they open in another HDB block.

But some shopkeepers feel this means the end of their business. At least half of the 10 shops plan to close for good, while others remain uncertain about their future.

Image Source: http://rememberingsingapore.wordpress.com

Shabnam Muzammil, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email shabnam@allproperty.com.sg

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