City of Sydney Council has approved a tender to transform a disused pagoda in Chinatown into a tourism information kiosk.
Last week’s council meeting saw the tender awarded to Growthbuilt Pty Ltd, who is expected to start construction on the Dixon Street pagoda as early as this month.
“We’re excited to be starting work transforming the pagoda into a bright new kiosk that will be used by locals and tourists seeking information about everything that Sydney has to offer,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.
“The Dixon Street pagoda is a well-known landmark within Sydney’s Chinatown precinct, but it’s almost 30 years old and is in need of a new lease on life.”
The revitalisation of the pagoda is a welcome move to surrounding businesses in the area.
President of the Haymarket Chamber of Commerce Brad Chan said the redesign would improve “the urban streetscape that currently exists” and “improve Chinatown’s position as a major tourist and business destination.
“The Chamber has received complaints from some local businesses in the past about people both sleeping, drinking and acting in an anti-social manner in the pagoda,” he said.
“The conversion of the structure into a new Tourist Information Kiosk is expected to limit the ability of groups or individuals to congregate in it for anti-social purposes.”
Mr Chan also said the new kiosk with its staff and volunteers would improve surveillance in the area and reduce opportunities for crime.
As part of the redesign, the kiosk will be refurbished with renewable and reusable materials and include energy efficient lighting and improved wheelchair access.
Brisbane artist Pamela Mei-Leng See has designed a vivid red lantern motif to feature on the sliding glass screens of the kiosk.
The patterned artwork, entitled ‘Pao Cha’ (to steep tea), is a contemporary take on traditional Chinese paper cutting techniques, and will be illuminated at night by lights inside the kiosk.
Finalising the tender to redesign the pagoda comes after the council announced it would commit five million dollars to help upgrade laneways in Chinatown.
Construction of the pagoda is expected to be finished by early 2012.
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