DEWAN Sri Pinang, a Penang landmark, is earmarked for conservation and the state government is asking the people how huge should the makeover be.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state is looking at one of three options – to conserve it as it is, a modest upgrade to the building, or to extend it towards the seafront.

The first option will involve minimal intervention with existing spaces reprogrammed, such as reinstating the library and former sea-facing restaurant, expanding the art gallery, and building a flexible auditorium with experimental theatre and box seating.

The modest option involves creating new spaces like a bigger ground floor function space, building a flexible auditorium with experimental theatre and box seating, extending the first floor to build a digital library, and building a semi-outdoor food court and a foyer linking Dewan Sri Pinang with the colonial city and town halls.

The third option expands on the second option. It includes extending the building to the seafront, and building larger performing art spaces offices to be rent out.

“We would like to get feedback from the people and our elected reps on the building’s redevelopment,” Chow said at Dewan Sri Pinang, where the state legislative assembly is being held.

The state is gathering feedback from elected reps and those attending the assembly until Friday.

The Dewan Sri Pinang redevelopment and conservation plan is being handled by the George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC), a body made up of the Chief Minister Incorporated, Think City Sdn Bhd and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

GTCDC director Hamdan Abdul Majeed said a public survey to get feedback from the people would be held after Hari Raya.

“We will announce the dates and venues later. We are also looking at doing online surveys,” he said.

Hamdan said Dewan Sri Pinang, which was completed by the Public Works Department in 1972 when Penang was undergoing industrialisation, is a Category II building and must be conserved.

“It is one of the first post-Merdeka buildings in the city, an icon that also marks Penang’s development.

“It is also under the George Town special area plan and cannot be demolished,” he said.

Hamdan said he expects work on the building to start next year.

Dewan Sri Pinang is the venue where the annual investiture ceremony is held to mark the state governor’s birthday. It is also an art gallery and a venue for arts and cultural events. – April 30, 2019.