Suwon City Says Mangpo Station Transit Parking Complex Development Project 'Proceeding Normally Without Issues'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City has refuted claims by the Suwon Economic Practitioners Alliance (Suwon Gyeongsillyeon) that the Mangpo Station transit parking complex development project should be comprehensively reviewed, stating that it will "proceed normally."

The city plans to sell the Mangpo public parking lot spanning 8,772 square meters in Yeongtong-dong, Yeongtong-gu, managed by Suwon Urban Development Corporation, to a private entity.

In response, Suwon Gyeongsillyeon issued a statement on the 7th, saying "Suwon City and Suwon Urban Development Corporation failed to conduct proper citizen opinion gathering procedures and public hearings for the Mangpo Station complex development project," and demanded the withdrawal of the sale and a comprehensive project review.

However, the city stated on the 13th that "Suwon Gyeongsillyeon's demand for a comprehensive review of the Mangpo Station complex development project lacks legal grounds" and claimed that "the city and the corporation are obstructing a private development project conducted through public recruitment as part of preliminary administrative procedures without any justification."

The city also explained that the land at Yeongtong-dong 980-2, Yeongtong-gu is owned by Suwon Urban Development Corporation through in-kind contribution of capital approved by Suwon City Council at the time of the corporation's establishment in 2018, and is therefore not municipal public property.

Regarding Suwon Gyeongsillyeon's claim that "there was no prior consultation or discussion with Suwon City Council about changing the business method," the city refuted by stating "In February 2020, during the vote on the in-kind contribution consent proposal in the relevant standing committee, 4 out of 6 members voted in favor, and the original proposal was passed."

The city emphasized that the project is not merely aimed at land sales but rather addresses parking shortages in the Yeongtong area, creates cultural spaces, and attracts major retailers.

The city stated, "We empathize with concerns about damage to small merchants' businesses, traffic congestion issues, and increased floating populations," and added that "we will make special efforts to thoroughly evaluate business plans according to recruitment guidelines, select a preferred negotiation partner, and actively resolve issues that arise during project implementation."

<Suwon City Official Statement> Full Text

Suwon Gyeongsillyeon's demand for a comprehensive review of the Mangpo Station complex development project lacks legal grounds. It can only be seen as obstructing a private development project conducted through public recruitment as part of preliminary administrative procedures without any justification.

2. According to Article 2 of the 'Public Property and Goods Management Act,' "public property" refers to real estate and related property owned by local governments through municipal burden, donated property, or legal provisions, and the transfer of public property ownership to entities other than the relevant local government through methods such as in-kind contribution is defined as "disposition." The land at Yeongtong-dong 980-2, Yeongtong-gu (Mangpo parking lot) is owned by Suwon Urban Development Corporation through in-kind contribution of capital approved by Suwon City Council at the time of the corporation's establishment in 2018, and is not municipal public property.

3. In February 2020, during deliberation of the "public property (Yeongtong-dong 980-16) in-kind contribution consent proposal" at Suwon City Council's 348th temporary session standing committee, a vote was held on the plan to sell the site through private development via public recruitment and a consent proposal requesting in-kind contribution of the subject land to the city corporation to increase its utilization. As a result, 4 out of 6 attending city council members voted in favor, and the original proposal was passed. Suwon Gyeongsillyeon's claim that "there was no prior consultation or discussion with Suwon City Council about changing the business method" is not factual.

4. Suwon Urban Development Corporation established the development plan for the site through consultations with related experts, feasibility studies, resident surveys, and discussions with relevant city departments, while considering financial conditions. The corporation decided to develop the site through a "recruitment-based private development method" that minimizes financial investment while promoting public facilities placement and public contribution. The project aims to address parking shortages in the Yeongtong area, create cultural spaces, and attract key retailers. We reiterate that this project is not merely aimed at land sales.

5. We empathize with concerns about damage to small merchants' businesses, traffic congestion issues, and increased floating populations. We will make special efforts to thoroughly evaluate business plans according to recruitment guidelines, select a preferred negotiation partner, and actively resolve issues that arise during project implementation.

6. Currently, the recruitment for this project was announced in July 2020, with inquiry submission and responses and preliminary participation applications received, leaving only the November 2nd application deadline remaining. We hope there will be no further wasteful expenditure of administrative resources, and we request encouragement and support for the "Mangpo Station Complex Development Project," which Suwon Urban Development Corporation is undertaking for the first time, so that it can be successfully implemented and contribute to both regional economic revitalization and improved resident welfare.