MRT Corp proposes solution to avoid demolition of Ampang Park Shopping Centre

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 6): Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) has proposed a new design for the Ampang Park MRT station that will not require its namesake, the country’s first shopping centre, to be demolished.

MRT Corp had presented the reviewed design during a session with the strata unit owners and management corporation on Nov 3.

The new design entails, among other things, the site of the future station being moved slightly further from the mall’s location, an underground pedestrian pathway between the future station and the mall, a tunnel for the MRT line under the mall, and a partial closure of the basement carpark to accommodate construction work (see table below for full list).

However, the new design option still requires agreement between MRT Corp and the strata unit owners in order to fulfil the legal requirements for the MRT railway tunnel to be built under Ampang Park Shopping Centre.

“There will need to be 100% agreement from all the strata unit owners for the Mutual Agreement to be implemented. This is to enable the underground land, which is common property belonging to all strata unit owners, to be surrendered to the government so that the underground walkway and MRT tunnels can be built,” said MRT Corp in a statement yesterday.

The agreement must be concluded and signed by the end of next January to allow the reviewed design to be used, and obviate the demolition of the mall.

MRT Corp has advised the owners to form a pro-tem committee that can engage a lawyer to negotiate on their behalf.

“The Ampang Park MRT Station is an important station for the MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya Line because it is the only station where commuters can transfer from this line to the Kelana Jaya LRT line,” it said.

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This story first appeared in The Edge Property pullout on Nov 6, 2015, which comes with The Edge Financial Daily every Friday. Download The Edge Property here for free.