Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Launches Full-Scale Development of 'Songjeong Station 1-Hour Food Street'

Approval of Sangkwon Renaissance Business Plan... 8 Billion Won Invested Over 5 Years

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, is set to actively promote the creation of the ‘Songjeong Station 1-Hour Food Street.’

On the 6th, Gwangsan-gu announced that it has completed all administrative procedures for the ‘Commercial District Renaissance Project,’ which will serve as a new driving force for revitalizing the Gwangju Songjeong Station area, and will begin full-scale implementation.

The Commercial District Renaissance Project is a public contest project by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups that designates declining commercial districts as revitalization zones and comprehensively supports environmental improvements and activation projects to restore the competitiveness of the commercial district.

In December last year, Gwangsan-gu was selected in the contest for the ‘Gwangju Songjeong Station 1-Hour Food Street,’ connecting the Gwangsan-ro commercial district and the 1913 Songjeong Station Market.

The main points include investing 8 billion KRW over five years until 2026 (50% national funds, 25% city funds, 25% district funds) to secure commercial district competitiveness and self-sustainability through a point-line-surface strategy that attracts the floating population of Gwangju Songjeong Station to stay longer in the commercial district, and the ‘Ogwang Satisfaction’ content project using ‘Gwang’ from Gwangju and Gwangsan-gu as a core keyword.

Since January, the district has concretized the project plan through on-site diagnosis by Ministry of SMEs and Startups experts and face-to-face consultations with the Ministry and Gwangju City over two months. Related administrative procedures such as resident project briefings, public inspections, and hearings with the Gwangsan-gu Council were also conducted swiftly.

Through this, the area around Gwangsan-ro and the 1913 Songjeong Station Market was designated as a commercial district revitalization zone, and the five-year project plan was approved by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Gwangju City.

The ‘Gwangju Songjeong Station Area Commercial District Renaissance Project Promotion Team,’ which will lead the project based on expertise, has also been formed.

Accordingly, Gwangsan-gu, the project promotion team, and the Commercial District Revitalization Council will take the lead in the project to make the Songjeong Station area a representative commercial district of Gwangju.

First, they will focus on establishing key stores (points) to attract visitors to the commercial district by recruiting ‘star chefs’ and discovering representative restaurants of Gwangsan-gu for Songjeong Station users.

The goal is to connect the commercial district’s flow (line) by enhancing the charm of back alleys, improving the commercial district’s landscape, and building unique stores to encourage visitors to stay longer.

To increase the overall attractiveness of the commercial district (surface), projects such as creating landmarks, hosting representative festivals, and developing joint brands will also be promoted.

In particular, they plan to focus on securing a foundation and competitiveness for sustainable commercial district revitalization effects through active linkage with ongoing projects centered on Gwangju Songjeong Station, such as the Urban Regeneration New Deal Project and the KTX Investment Leading Zone Development.

Jeon Jaeyong, head of the Gwangju Songjeong Station Area Commercial District Renaissance Project Promotion Team, stated, “We will make the Gwangju Songjeong Station area the gateway and representative commercial district of Gwangju with differentiated content and services.”

A Gwangsan-gu official said, “The Gwangju Songjeong Station Area Commercial District Renaissance Project will be a ‘game changer’ for the local economy,” adding, “We will create a nationwide success case through organic cooperation and collaboration with the project promotion team and the Commercial District Revitalization Council.”

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