Gimcheon-si Begins Construction of Complex Innovation Center in Yulgok-dong ... Completion Scheduled for First Half of 2022

Library, Exhibition and Performance Venues, Lifelong Learning, and Experience Centers Equipped as Cultural and Artistic Spaces

Perspective view of Gimcheon Complex Innovation Center.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] On the 8th, Gimcheon City in Gyeongbuk Province began construction of a complex innovation center in the downtown Yulgok-dong area, which will include a library, exhibition and performance halls. Considering the severe COVID-19 situation, the groundbreaking ceremony was replaced by an on-site briefing with only essential personnel participating.

Mayor Kim Chung-seop received the groundbreaking report from the construction company Samgu Construction Co., Ltd. and the supervision team from Korea Comprehensive Architectural Office Co., Ltd. at the site, and requested that the center be built as a new landmark of the innovation city and an innovative complex cultural public facility looking ahead to the next 100 years.

The Gimcheon Complex Innovation Center will be built on a 8,287㎡ site with a total project cost of 36.3 billion KRW, consisting of one basement floor and two above-ground floors (total floor area of 10,163㎡). The target opening date is the first half of 2022.

The basement floor will house an underground parking lot and preservation archives; the first floor will include a multipurpose auditorium, youth activity room, and reading rooms for children and families; the second floor will feature a multipurpose auditorium, comprehensive reference room, and youth activity room, providing various complex cultural spaces.

The exterior design of the Complex Innovation Center symbolically embodies the dynamic and progressive spirit of Gimcheon’s representative intangible cultural asset, 'Gimcheon Geumneung Bitnae Nongak,' blending traditional and modern architectural beauty.

Gimcheon City has gone through procedures including land acquisition in 2017, feasibility studies and local opinion gathering in 2018, and central investment review and architectural design competitions in 2019. This year, the city completed the optimal detailed design reflecting local residents’ opinions and carried out administrative procedures such as the second-stage central investment review approval, local construction technology review, and architectural review.

A Gimcheon City official emphasized, "As a hub for local education and culture and arts, we will prepare high-quality content so that the Complex Innovation Center can serve as a landmark and actively respond to the demands of citizens."

Kim Choong-seop, mayor of Gimcheon, inspecting the groundbreaking site of the Complex Innovation Center on the 8th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.