Gwangjin District to Build "Waterside Art Playground" on Junggok Rainwater Pump Station Rooftop

A Cultural Hub Featuring a Book Café, Performance Area, and Rest Spaces

Gwangjin District in Seoul (Mayor Kim Kyungho) has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the “Waterside Art Playground in Our Neighborhood at Jungnangcheon” project, which will transform the rooftop of the Junggok Rainwater Pump Station (373 Dongil-ro) into a cultural space for citizens, marking the official commencement of construction.

Aerial view of the Waterside Art Playground in our neighborhood by Jungnangcheon. Provided by Jungnang District.

The groundbreaking ceremony held on the 4th at the Junggok Rainwater Pump Station site was attended by Kim Byungmin, Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs of Seoul, Gwangjin District Mayor Kim Kyungho, and around 100 local residents. Attendees received a progress report on the project, listened to commemorative and congratulatory speeches, participated in the first excavation event, and toured the construction site to discuss the future utilization of the space.

This project is part of the “Seoul Waterside Sensibility City Project,” which aims to connect waterways across Seoul with citizens’ daily lives, and is also a key pledge of the 8th popularly elected administration. The focus is on transforming the riverside area into a local hub where residents can socialize and enjoy cultural activities.

The district will invest a total of 3,895,000,000 won in municipal funds to create a community space for citizens with a total area of 1,327.98 square meters, including an expansion to two above-ground floors. The new facility will feature a book café overlooking Jungnangcheon, as well as outdoor resting areas for various cultural performances, making it an attractive destination for residents.

Previously, the district carried out preliminary procedures such as project planning, design competitions, resident preference surveys, and briefing sessions, before commencing construction this January. With the goal of completing the project within the year, the district is expediting both structural work and the development of interior facilities.

The district expects that the creation of this riverside vitality hub will improve pedestrian conditions and leisure opportunities in the Jungnangcheon area, and establish it as a new local landmark in the northeastern part of Seoul.

Gwangjin District Mayor Kim Kyungho stated, “When the Waterside Art Playground is completed, the rainwater pump station will be reborn not just as a flood control and disaster prevention facility, but also as a cultural space that enhances the quality of life for residents. We will do our utmost to create a city of sensibility that fully utilizes the potential of the riverside area.”

Ceremonial groundbreaking event at Junggok Stormwater Pump Station site on the 4th. Provided by Jungnang District.

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