Cherry Blossom Festival to Resume at Former Gyeonggi Provincial Government Building from Next Year

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hoon, Reporter] Gyeonggi Province has established a temporary use plan for the former government building site in Paldal-gu, Suwon.

The approach includes hosting events such as agricultural produce direct-sales markets and renting out various facilities within the building.

According to Gyeonggi Province on the 5th, the former provincial government building will host an agricultural produce direct-sales market and flea market on the 21st, jointly organized by the Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation and the online cafe 'Suwon Moms Gather.'

Additionally, an agricultural produce direct-sales market will be held on November 11-12 as a sideline event for Farmers' Day.

Starting with this, the province and public institutions plan to consistently hold events at the former provincial government building.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government Cherry Blossom Festival, a flagship event of Gyeonggi Province that was halted due to COVID-19, will also resume from 2023.

Furthermore, major facilities of the former provincial government building, including the lawn plaza and meeting rooms, will be rented to the general public through Gyeonggi Sharing Service (share.gg.go.kr).

Additionally, the central garden of the old building, designated as National Registered Cultural Property No. 688 in 2017, will be selectively opened only to residents who have made reservations through Gyeonggi Sharing Service.

The old building showcases the essence of modernist architectural design from the 1960s with its courtyard-style structure (building layout in the shape of the Korean letter 'ㅁ' with an inner courtyard).

Additionally, the province plans to maintain walking trails at the former provincial government building and install landscape lighting to strengthen facilities and improve the environment, creating it as a popular walking destination for residents.

The province anticipates that time is needed before implementing the 'Social Innovation Complex Development,' a core campaign promise by Governor Kim Dong-yeon, and has established this plan accordingly.

Even on a temporary basis, through the use of the former provincial government building, the province aims to prevent commercial decline in the surrounding area and contribute to revitalization of the local economy.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon heard from merchants near the former provincial government building during a visit to the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation early in his tenure that "sales have dropped significantly due to the relocation of the government office, making it difficult to survive." On August 30, he visited the relevant stores and promised, "I will do my best to ensure positive winds blow through the commercial area this year within the limits of budget and systems."

Gyeonggi Province plans to soon finalize a master plan for developing the former provincial government building into a 'Social Innovation Complex' and implement administrative procedures.

According to provincial officials, the Social Innovation Complex will become the 'Gyeonggi Opportunity Storehouse,' leading diverse social innovation through collaboration between the private and public sectors and sharing Gyeonggi Province's assets with residents.