Pyeongtaek City Launches Construction of Western Branch Office

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Chan-hyuk] Pyeongtaek City held a groundbreaking ceremony on December 7 for the construction of the Western Branch Office (tentative name) at the Hwayangdosi Urban Development Project public administrative building site.

The ceremony was attended by approximately 100 people, including Pyeongtaek Mayor Jeong Jang-seon, Pyeongtaek City Council Chairman Kang Jung-gu, provincial and municipal council members, and residents of the western area.

The Western Branch Office will be constructed with a total project investment of 96 billion won, spanning 22,640 square meters of total floor area, with 1 basement level and 4 above-ground floors, targeting completion in the second half of 2026.

Through a design competition held in June 2023, the design concept ‘Hwayanyeonhwa,’ which harmonizes the city, nature, and citizens, was selected. The design is characterized by efficient workspace modules that can reflect future changes and eco-friendly offices. In particular, the library to be constructed alongside the Western Branch Office will be configured as an open reading room, serving as a library open to local residents and contributing to the expansion of cultural facilities in the western area.

Currently, the Anjung Branch Office in Pyeongtaek's western area has been using part of the Anjung Culture Hall as a temporary office since the merger of three cities and counties in 1995. However, residents have continued to face inconveniences due to inefficient office space and limited parking areas. To address this issue, the city plans to relocate and newly construct the branch office at the Hwayangdosi Urban Development Project site to respond to balanced development of Pyeongtaek's western region and increasing administrative demands.

Mayor Jeong Jang-seon stated, “I previously declared a new frontier for the development of the relatively neglected western Pyeongtaek area and presented a mid-to-long-term vision to establish it as the center of the new Pyeongtaek City. The groundbreaking of the Western Branch Office is the starting point of that vision.” He added, “Going forward, we will seamlessly promote the commencement of the 2025 Hwayangdistrict Comprehensive Hospital, Anjung Station area development, automotive cluster, and Pyeongtaekho development projects to create a new era for the western Pyeongtaek region.”