Kumamoto City Hall was built a mere 39 years ago but, it is claimed, is not sufficiently quake-proof. (In comparison, the city hall of my hometown of Los Angeles, subject to similar quakes, was completed in 1928). Since Kumamoto was designated a full-fledged city in 2012, most administrative functions have been moved to offices located in each ward, yet it retains three functions: the city’s main government offices, council chambers, and the Chuo Ward office.
Four plans are on the table:
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Rebuild at the current site, retaining consolidation of all three functions. Estimated time frame and cost: seven years and 45.6 billion yen, including provision of temporary quarters during construction.
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Transfer all functions to a new building at the current Shirakawa Park next to the Central Police Station. Estimated time frame and cost: five years and 39 billion yen.
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Transfer the main government offices and council chambers to Shirakawa Park and the Chuo Ward office to the former site of the Hanabatacho Annex. Estimated time frame and cost: same as 2.
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Transfer the main government offices and council chambers to the parking garage currently behind the building and the Chuo Ward office to the former site of the Hanabatacho Annex. Estimated time frame and cost: six years and 43.1 billion yen.
Notably, no concern has apparently been paid to retrofitting the existing building.
Our friend Ruth Rowntree-Kai informed us of a meeting to be held downtown on Feb.2nd, from 2pm and would like to invite all interested KI members. Per her words:
“In short, it’s organized by a civic group, due to changes the local government are trying to enforce. The government has met some opposition - and, perhaps, rightly so, as they are plans that the local government hope to implement despite being advised otherwise.
My friend is part of the advisory board (at the government’s request) and would like to invite as many residents to this hearing as possible. Many longterm, foreign residents living here also contribute actively to society here, and bring a diverse wealth of knowledge with them. Not just by paying taxes and the likes, but also by contributing their ideas and various viewpoints.
My friend believes that inviting any KI readers (Japanese and foreign) who are interested in local politics would be beneficial in raising awareness of what changes may lie ahead for Kumamoto City.”
Please leave your thoughts below, and more info at the link. -William