SLA calls for ideas over land use under flyovers

SINGAPORE — The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is calling for ideas on possible uses of the land under flyovers, and could call for a tender to rent out such land.

Such spaces under flyovers and MRT and LRT tracks have much potential to be used creatively, said the SLA today (April 29). “For example, the futsal facility under the Thomson Flyover has been very popular with football enthusiasts.”

The futsal court at Thomson Flyover is one of three such sites currently tendered out for sports uses such as futsal and paintball. The two other sites are at the Marsiling MRT tracks and the Jurong Hill Flyover.

The SLA said these spaces are usually between 3,000sqm and 6,000sqm in size. To facilitate their use, it will explore installing basic amenities such as water and electricity.

The authority did not say how many such sites there are currently or which ones are suitable for such uses, but said it plans to “make available more viaduct land sites for open tender when they are approved for interim use”.

Before the Offside @ Thomson Flyover futsal court was set up, the space was home to Whitley Road Hawker Centre. Since it was awarded the lease in 2011, the space has also been used for different activities, such as archery, bubble football or birthday parties on an ad-hoc basis, said facility supervisor Muhd Imran, 29. In November 2013, an indie music concert, Fred Perry Sub-Sonic Live, was held there, featuring local and international acts.

The 3,000sqm sheltered space means that “no matter rain or shine, people can come in”, said facilities manager Muhd Fazly Johari, 36.

The company pays S$6,300 a month for rent and holds a four-year lease, which expires in December. The short lease has meant that the company is reluctant to upgrade facilities, even though it acknowledged that washrooms, better paved floors and more parking is needed. The site currently only has portable toilets. Such spaces, he added, could cater to a wider segment of the population, such as lawn bowls for senior citizens, or places “chill out” for non-sporting customers.

The public can submit feedback on possible uses to the SLA via a form on its website(www.sla.gov.sg) until May 20.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KHAIRUL AMRI MOHD SIDIK