Creating a Specialized Street Area Around Exits 1 and 2 of Sagajeong Station in Jungnang-gu... Geumcheon-gu Removes Barriers for Pharmacies and Restaurants

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[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The area around exits 1 and 2 of Sagajeong Station is lined with popular restaurants, earning it the nickname "Food Alley." Although it is a central commercial district with heavy foot traffic, the area had been inconvenient and hazardous for pedestrians due to various facilities and narrow sidewalks. It also lacked distinctiveness, resulting in low recognition.

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) announced that it has revitalized the Sagajeong Food Alley by preserving its symbolic value and commercial characteristics while transforming the cluttered and chaotic space into a pleasant place for meeting and communication.

Three major projects were carried out. First, the Sagajeong Village Square (public open space) near the station was developed into an open plaza. Old facilities such as bicycle racks and subway ventilation shafts were refurbished, and landscape lighting and ground fountains were installed to enhance openness. The entrances 1 and 2 of the station were adorned with artworks through a public art project, creating a lively atmosphere. The Media Garden installed behind exit 1 is expected to become another landmark.

Second, the inconvenient pedestrian environment and street landscape were improved. The sidewalks were widened for safe and comfortable walking, and old and broken pavement blocks were repaired. Sagajeong-ro 51-gil was designated as a one-way street, and CCTV was installed to prevent illegal parking, enhancing pedestrian safety.

Additionally, entrance symbols and ground guide signs were installed to emphasize the street’s identity as Sagajeong 51-gil specialty street, improving aesthetics. Cigarette butt receptacles were also installed to maintain cleanliness. Particularly, the underground wiring project scheduled for completion in August will further enhance the cityscape.

Third, a community space called ‘Sagajeong Majung Village Vitality Center’ is being prepared for completion by December this year in a location that had caused inconvenience due to intoxicated individuals and had low utilization. It will include a book caf?, club rooms, seminar rooms, and shared kitchens as communal facilities for residents.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “I hope the Sagajeong 51-gil specialty street, reflecting the region’s history and current characteristics, will become a vibrant place for residents’ lives and communication.” He added, “We will continue to do our best to develop hidden local attractions into places people want to walk and visit.”

The district will hold a completion ceremony on the evening of the 31st at Sagajeong Village Square near exit 1 of Sagajeong Station. The event will be lively with the opening of the Media Garden and performances by Jungnang artists.

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Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) has begun removing thresholds to enable mobility-impaired individuals, including wheelchair users, to conveniently access small-scale living facilities such as pharmacies, restaurants, and private clinics.

Small thresholds at entrances, which ordinary people pass through without difficulty, can be significant obstacles for those with limited mobility. Wheelchair users often have to give up using facilities because of thresholds just a few centimeters high.

According to the Act on Guarantee of Convenience for the Disabled, Elderly, and Pregnant Women, facilities above a certain size are required to install ramps. However, many small-scale living facilities frequently used by residents, such as old apartments, restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies, are not legally obligated to have ramps, resulting in many places lacking them.

The ‘Neighborhood Threshold-Free City Project’ is now in its third year. When the project started in 2020, applications were low because most stores were not legally required to install ramps, but through persistent persuasion about the necessity, Geumcheon-gu was able to install ramps at 73 locations.

Last year, the response was very positive. Geumcheon-gu was selected for the ‘Seoul City Living-Oriented Small-Scale Ramp Project’ and significantly installed ramps at 185 small-scale facilities. Currently, more than 50 facilities are awaiting installation, and the project will expand to all autonomous districts in Seoul starting in April this year.

Based on installation results over the past two years, Geumcheon-gu plans to install ramps at over 176 facilities this year with a combined budget of 120 million KRW (70 million KRW national funds, 50 million KRW district funds).

Additionally, to raise community awareness, campaigns for ‘Creating Threshold-Free Streets’ will be conducted in cooperation with the Comprehensive Welfare Center for the Disabled and residents’ councils. Maintenance of ramps installed over the past two years will also be carried out through a monitoring team.

A restaurant owner who participated in the ramp installation project said, “I am glad that access for disabled customers has become easier,” warmly welcoming the ramp installation.

Kim, a physically disabled electric wheelchair user, said, “I often had difficulties due to entrance thresholds when using pharmacies and restaurants, but the ramps made it easy to move around,” expressing hope for more installations.

Yoo Sung-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, “While a low threshold may seem minor to some, it can be a significant barrier causing disabled people to give up using facilities.” He added, “We will continue to install ramps throughout neighborhoods to improve convenience for mobility-impaired individuals.”

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Jung-gu (Mayor Seo Yang-ho) is supporting voluntary disinfection activities by merchants to create a commercial district where visitors can feel safe.

On the 25th, Jung-gu held the ‘Pildong Alley-Type Store Safe Disinfection Team Launch Ceremony’ at Pildong Samgeori, attended by Mayor Seo Yang-ho, Kim Seon-taek, president of the Pildong Merchants Association, and about 20 others. This is the fifth such launch following Sindang Future Heritage Food Store, Donghwa-dong, Yaksu Market, and Chungmuro alley-type stores.

The ‘Safe Disinfection Team’ is a voluntary disinfection group led by the merchants’ association, established to ensure residents and visitors can safely use alley-type stores through regular disinfection.

As part of the daily recovery support project, the district received a special grant of 100 million KRW from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to provide disinfection vests, sprayers, disinfectants, masks, gloves, and other supplies, and plans to contract a professional disinfection company to conduct additional disinfection twice a month.

‘Alley-type stores’ are located in alley commercial areas not designated as traditional markets or shopping districts, thus excluded from small business support programs. Currently, Jung-gu operates seven such associations: Sindang Future Heritage Food Merchants Association, Donghwa-dong Merchants Association, Pildong Merchants Association, Chungmuro Merchants Association, Yaksu Market Merchants Association, Dasan Village Shopping Street Merchants Association, and Namsaeyong-gil Merchants Association. The Myeongdong Namsangol Merchants Association is preparing for additional designation.

To be designated as an alley-type store, the area must be within 2,000㎡, have at least 30 small business-operated stores densely located, and have an established merchants’ association.

Designation grants opportunities to participate in various government-supported projects such as joint marketing and management voucher programs. Other benefits include acceptance of Onnuri gift certificates and support for promotion and marketing.

In July last year, the district enacted the ‘Ordinance on Support for Revitalization of Alley-Type Stores,’ covering criteria, application qualifications, and the composition of the review committee, actively working to revitalize the stagnant alley restaurants.

In particular, the district promoted ‘Lunchbox Content Development’ consulting targeting Pildong alley restaurants and drew positive responses from merchants through expert-tailored education.

Additionally, customer appreciation events, roulette events, and merchant singing contests have attracted attention from both visitors and merchants’ associations.

Seo Yang-ho, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, “I hope the merchants’ self-organized disinfection network will become an opportunity for alley commercial districts to gain trust.” He added, “Jung-gu will continue to do its best to revitalize the stagnant commercial districts through ongoing support.”

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