SINGAPORE: Muscat Street in the Kampong Glam area will get a S$5.3 million facelift; with upgrading work scheduled to begin in November and expected to finish by end 2012.
The Muscat Street area will be rejuvenated to increase its attractiveness and add to its distinctive ethnic character.
Visitors can look forward to Omani murals and mosaic artwork lining the new sidewalks leading to Arab Street.
The pedestrian mall and roads will also be revamped and the roads will be tiled and paved.
The project aims to highlight Singapore's historical links with Oman and the region and provide a slice of heritage.
"This
Muscat rejuvenation project is an opportunity for us to relook not only
about history and also the important links we have with the Middle East
-Muscat, Oman and Singapore but also at how the community here lived in
the era of yesteryears", said Singapore Senior Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs, Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed.
The attraction hopes to draw more tourists and locals, and businesses in the area are upbeat about the changes.
"When
you preserve this area, it will be better. We can expect more tourists
to come and I think the business will be better", said Mr Abdul Rasheed,
salesman at Royal Fabric.
A two-day exhibition on March 5 to 6
is on at the Sultan Mosque, where members of the public can also give
their inputs for the project.
- CNA/cc