BUTTERWORTH: The second phase of the Penang Sentral integrated mix development project, which entails the commercial and retail components sprawling over 409,000 sq ft, is expected to be completed in 2020.
MRCB Properties chief operating officer Shireen Iqbal Mohamed Iqbal said piling works for the first part of the project had been completed and the second part would begin soon.
She said works on the second part, at the existing site of the bus and taxi terminals, would begin as soon as the buses and taxis migrated to the newly-completed Penang Sentral transportation hub on Thursday.
"The commercial and retail components will bring a whole new level of freshness to retailing in Butterworth. There will be new names, new environment.
"It will serve as a catalyst to the transportation hub itself and breathe fresh air to Butterworth as a whole," she told newsmen during a media briefing on the Penang Sentral integrated mix development project in the soon-to-be-opened transportation hub today.
Present was MRCB executive vice-president Datuk Dell Akbar Khan.
The total gross development value (GDV) of the whole project, which entails several components, is estimated at RM2.9 billion. It is expected to be completed in 2030.
Besides the transportation hub, which will be opened on Thursday, there is also the commercial and retail components, office towers, business hotel and service apartments for future phases.
Shireen Iqbal, however, assured that any works carried out would not jeopardise the safety at the transportation hub.
Meanwhile, Dell, who led the media walkabout at the new Penang Sentral transportation hub, said it was a mini-version of the Kuala Lumpur Sentral.
He said the integrated transportation hub connects the Keretapi Tanah Melayu's ETS and Komuter train services, intercity, express and stage bus services, taxi and ferry services.
He said the people had waited for the project since 2007, but there were numerous issued MRCB had to handled to get the project moving.
"This not only serves as the hub for the numerous transportation services but also the meeting points for the people here in future. This is set to change their lifestyles.
"This new terminal promises safety, security, convenience and comfortability. Equipped with many amenities, it is designed to ease commuting through its improved access and fully integrated facilities, including access for the disabled.
"It also offers a centralised ticketing system and a multitude of retail and food beverage outlets, providing business opportunities for SME players as well as renowned local and international brands," he added.
The Penang Sentral transportation hub has nine levels altogether, with level 3 as the main pick-up and drop-off point. Level one is for express and stage buses' passengers only while level two is the transit floor for the purchase of bus tickets and such.
Level three to five is for retails and food courts while level six to nine for parkings, with about 600 bays for a start.
Dell said MRCB would seek Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's advice on the exact date of the Penang Sentral launching along with the VIP launching it.
The Penang Sentral project, undertaken by Penang Sentral Sdn Bhd, is located on 22.65 acres of land, and the recently completed integrated hub for bus, rail and sea transportation services costs about RM230 million.
It is expected to handle 3,000 passengers per day, and once it is fully integrated, it can handle about 4,000 passengers daily.
The terminal consists of a 38 bays for buses and also 60 retail shops.