「ブランド力が高いエリア」福岡市の百道浜地区　開発から３７年　マンションやホテル開発進むもオフィスビルには課題

The Momochihama district in Sawara Ward, Fukuoka City, faces Hakata Bay and is home to tourist attractions such as Fukuoka Tower. Public facilities are undergoing renovations, including a museum nearly 40 years old, while private developments such as hotels and condominiums are also progressing. We followed the current state of the town 37 years after its development. The Identity of the 10 Stone Statues A yoga event was held on the 21st in the plaza in front of Fukuoka Tower. Nearby, ten stone statues are lined up. These statues are somewhat weathered. In fact, they are statues of gods donated from India for the "Asia-Pacific Exposition," also known as "Yokatopia," held in 1989. The Fukuoka City Museum was the theme pavilion for "Yokatopia" held in 1989. "Yokatopia," held for six months in 1989 in the Momochihama district, which was developed on reclaimed land in Hakata Bay, attracted approximately 8.23 ​​million visitors. The building constructed at that time as a "theme hall" is the current Fukuoka City Museum. RKB reporter Yasunori Tanaka: "This is an aerial view above Momochihama. Construction is underway on the south side of the museum for its renovation." The Fukuoka City Museum completed its storage building in March of this year. Currently, construction is underway on the south plaza, and preparations for the renovation of the aging main building are also progressing. Chifumi Noda, Head of Operations Division, Fukuoka City Museum: "This is roughly the intermediate stage between the 60-70 year lifespan of a building that would normally be rebuilt. We intend to extend the lifespan of the facility by undertaking a major renovation or renewal every 30-35 years." Renovation work stalled: Reasons for unsuccessful bidding However, the "wave of rising prices" is also affecting this area. Due to the impact of soaring material costs, the bidding for the main building's renovation project was unsuccessful. Initially, the museum was scheduled to reopen in the spring of 2029, but it is now expected to be delayed by at least a year. The total project cost has also ballooned from the initially estimated 16 billion yen to over 20 billion yen. Chifumi Noda, head of the Fukuoka City Museum's Operations Division, stated, "We carefully manage temperature and humidity to store historical materials in our storage facilities, so if the air conditioning were to stop, it would be a major problem. We need to create a situation where we can maintain that as soon as possible." Fukuoka City Library Celebrates 30th Anniversary Meanwhile, the Fukuoka City Library, located across from the museum, celebrated its 30th anniversary this month. With approximately 1.3 million books in its collection, it boasts one of the largest libraries in Kyushu and serves as a place of relaxation for many citizens. Fukuoka City Central Library, General Director Masaki Fukahori: "This place is a center of knowledge for the citizens, so our top priority is to collect and preserve many books befitting that name, but we also want to be a library loved by the citizens; that's our goal." Private Development on the Rise: "A Very Good Environment," "Don't Want It to Become Like Tokyo" New private development is also progressing in the Momochihama area. In March of this year, the "Prince Hotel," the first in Fukuoka City, opened, and the construction of a 27-story high-rise apartment building is also planned. Citizen (60s): "I think it's a very good environment. I feel like the number of tourists has increased." Citizen (70s): "I don't want it to become like Tokyo. Tokyo is amazing right now, and I don't want it to become like that." "Vacant Buildings" After Tenants Move Out In the Momochihama area, city ordinances have been established to regulate the colors and designs of buildings to harmonize with the surrounding landscape. Real estate appraiser Ryusuke Kamime: "The Momochihama area has a strong brand image as a residential area. A hotel has also been built recently, so I believe that the integration of residential, commercial, and hotel areas is creating a unique town and brand." However, not all private development is going smoothly. An office building that previously housed a major electronics manufacturer has become vacant after the tenant moved out. Real estate appraiser Ryusuke Kamime: "Compared to Tenjin and other central areas, it's a bit of a distance, so I think it's honestly a challenging time for a standalone office building." 37 years after Yokotopia, the beautifully developed waterfront city of Momochihama stands at a crossroads for its future. For more details, see NEWS DIG! ↓ https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/...