Maessan-dong Community Hub 'Eoulrim Center' to Be Built in Suwon

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jeong Jun-seong] Suwon City announced on the 2nd that it will build the 'Maessan-dong Eoulrim Center,' a community hub space for residents and a youth startup incubator, in Maessan-dong, Paldal-gu, where urban regeneration projects are underway.

The construction of the 'Maessan-dong Eoulrim Center,' part of the Maessan-dong Urban Regeneration New Deal project, will jointly develop a community space for residents and merchants in the Suwon Station area and a startup support space to help young entrepreneurs enter the market, thereby promoting resident harmony and revitalizing the local economy.

The Maessan-dong Eoulrim Center will be built on a 3-story structure with a total floor area of 536.45㎡ at 47-3, Maessan-ro 1-ga.

The city purchased the building and land last year, and plans to complete the project in March 2022 through a remodeling process of the existing commercial building. A total of 6 billion won (including national and provincial funds) will be invested in the project.

On the first floor, a resident community space will be established. Book cafes and food courts will be created for use by residents. In particular, folding doors will be installed at the entrance on the first floor so that spaces connect and expand around the yard, enabling the operation of small events.

Additionally, four startup spaces divided into sections A and B will be created on the interior sides to assist prospective entrepreneurs or young people in starting cafes or restaurants.

The second floor will feature a shared kitchen, conference room, and resident rest area. Plans include making various uses possible such as startup education for young people preparing to start businesses and cooking classes for residents.

The third floor will have tiered rest areas and a garden to serve as a resting place for residents, and a frame-style observation deck that can be used as a photo zone will be installed.

Special characteristics will be added to the exterior of the Eoulrim Center. Exterior materials in different colors will be used so that the left and right buildings can contrast, creating an individual appearance. It will be finished in vibrant orange, which evokes dynamic youth, and light yellow, which expresses experienced and composed seniors and local residents.

When the Eoulrim Center opens in March 2022, the city plans to implement various support projects for young entrepreneurs.

The Suwon Sustainable City Foundation will operate the youth food startup space and provide youth incubating support programs to help prospective entrepreneurs enter the market.

In addition, the city plans to gradually prepare to attract the 'Gyeonggi Province Youth Food Startup Hub Project,' which supports startup technology education and marketing.

Meanwhile, the 'Maessan-dong Urban Regeneration New Deal Project' targets 197,800㎡ in the Maessan-ro 1-ga area of Paldal-gu east of Suwon Station, aiming to improve dilapidated road facilities and alleys around Suwon Station and enhance the commercial and residential environment in the station area.