UPDATES ON WRIGHT PARK DEVELOPMENT, GIBRALTAR SATELLITE MARKET, REPORTED
9 June 2021 – The design development and feasibility study of the smaller areas of Wright Park is currently ongoing in anticipation of local government funds allocated for sub-projects, according to city planning and development office (CPDO) head Archt. Donna Rillera-Tabangin.
In Tuesday’s regular management committee meeting of local officials at Baguio Convention Center, she said the endeavor is spearheaded by her office in collaboration with the city buildings and architecture office (CBAO), city environment and parks management office (CEPMO), and other concerned departments.
Tabangin said the design and study would make it possible to program what specific sub-projects that would immediately be pursued within the whole Wright Park Development Plan with whatever funds provided by the city government.
“We are looking at how we can program the project in such a way that progress can be appreciated on the work being done in specific parts of Wright Park as long as this is integrated on the overall design of the master plan,” she said.
Last year, CEPMO head Atty. Rhenan Diwas presented a Php717 million proposed Wright Park Development Plan that includes a P397 million parking building and conceptualized as a traditional nature park infused with the adventure of horse-back riding that has made the area popular to residents and visitors for all these years.
Other than the four-storey parking facility, the “green architecture” conceptual framework also includes elevated walkways; decks and rest nooks; walkable areas and historic restorations; and more.
As to the Gibraltar Satellite Market project, Tabangin said the second supplemental budget of 2021 added an additional P30 million to an earlier P50 million fund for the completion of the project’s phase I totaling P80 million.
She said that the amount will be enough to complete the first three floors of the facility with the remaining two floors to be added when the amount of P30 million for its second phase is realized.
In Monday’s city council session meeting, Tabangin said she was advised that the design of the project be “scaled down and not look like a mall” but still look like a satellite market.
Several members of the august body suggested that the structure should not be enclosed but rather open, she added.
Primarily designed by the CBAO under Archt. Johnny Degay, the P100 million five-storey facility will not only function as a marketplace for the trading of produce but will also house indigenous arts and crafts and local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The modern satellite market will also have a basement parking area. – Gaby B. Keith
