Photo: Demolition of Queens' Close estate in 1987
In 1989, Queens' Crescent estate (next to Alexandra Fire Station) was demolished. It remains a grass-patch for over 23 years. They demolished - without plans.
In 1995, the iconic 14-storey Forfar House was demolished.
In 1998, two storey terrace blocks at Dawson were demolished. Residents were unhappy over the compensation and they took 15 years before replacing them with SkyTerrace@Dawson.
In 1999, Tah-Chung Emporium was demolished. It remains a grass patch today.
In 2005, Hawkers from Commonwealth Avenue Wet Market were asked to leave. It was later converted into a Furniture Shop and the complex is much ridiculed among residents for its bombastic advertisements
In 2010, Queenstown Remand Prison was demolished. It remains a grass patch today
In 2011, Margaret Drive Hawker Centre was demolished. Apparently many low-income families from Stirling Road depended on the hawker centre for cheap and affordable food. It remains a grass patch today. Still no developments.
In 2012, the Annex to Princess House is demolished.
In 2013, Queenstown Cinema and Bowling is demolished.
Developments are important to revitalise an old estate but misguided developments which are not consulted with the stakeholders will cause immense inconvenience and pain to YOU as a resident. These heritage sites also serve as third places for community bonding and as a hawker centre or market for day-to-day necessities.
Developments can always take place at the grass patches and not at the old places. Developments can co-exist with conservation.
Do you want a Queenstown that is entirely new and contains no traces of your past?
Do you want a Queenstown that is driven by commercial forces and contains no memories of your childhood?
Do you want a Queenstown that is planned by policymakers and civil servants who may be oblivious to our history and way of life?
Do you want your swimming pool, library, mosques and markets be demolished and taken over by shopping malls, shopping malls and more shopping malls?
Conserve Queenstown. Protect our home.
*Article first appeared on https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=651661351529021&set=a.118220538206441.15455.116729641688864&type=1&ref=nf