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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1974.
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CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GPO TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH
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CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING ON THE CENTRAL RECLAMATION IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH, SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY MARCH, 1976.
PILING WORK FOR THE BUILDING IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS, AND TENDERS ARE NOW BEING INVITED TO UNDERTAKE THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION WORK.
A NOTICE CALLING THE TENDERS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
THE NEW GPO WILL HAVE MODERN HANDLING EQUIPMENT WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE FLOW OF PARCELS AND MAIL, AND ENABLE WORK TO BE HANDLED MORE EFFICIENTLY.
IT WILL SERVE AS THE MAIN PUBLIC OFFICE FOR CENTRAL THE LETTER DELIVERY OFFICE FOR CENTRAL, WESTERN AND PARTS OF EASTERN DISTRICTS= THE LETTER COLLECTION CONCERTRATION CENTRE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, AND PROVIDE PARCEL POSTING AND DELIVERY FACILITIES.
THE 40,000 SQ. FT. SITE FOR THE NEW GPO IS LOCATED BETWEEN BLAKE PIER AND THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE TO THE NORTH OF CONNAUGHT CENTRE, AND IT NEARLY DOUBLES THE AREA OF THE SITE OF THE EXISTING BUILDING IN PEDDER STREET.
WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 180,000 SQ. FT., THE NEW FIVE-STOREY OFFICE COMPLEX WILL PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF POSTAL FACILITIES.
THE GROUND FLOOR WILL INCLUDE THE MAIN PARCEL OFFICE, PARCEL SORTING AREAS AS VELL AS LOADING AND UNLOADING FACILITIES.
THE MAIN STAMP SELLING PUBLIC HALL WILL BE ON THE FIRST FLOOR, TOGETHER WITH A MAIL SORTING OFFICE AND SPACE FOR SOME 15,000 POST OFFICE BOXES.
THE MAIN MAIL SORTING CENTRE IS LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR, WHILE THE THIRD AND FOURTH FLOORS WILL BE USED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES OF THE POST OFFICE HEADQUARTERS AND STAFF WELFARE FACILITIES.
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF OPEN-AIR CARPARK
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MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TODAY THAT THE OPEN-AIR METERED CARPARK OUTSIDE HUTCHINSON HOUSE IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO PARKING AND VEHICULAR ACCESS FOR THREE DAYS FROM 7 A.M. ON TUESDAY CAUGUST 6).
THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO ENABLE RESURFACING TO BE CARRIED OUT ON THE AREA. THE CARPARK WILL BE RE-OPENED AT 8 A.H. ON FRIDAY CAUGUST 9).
IN THE MEANTIME, MOTORISTS CAN PARK IN THE MURRAY ROAD MULTI- STOREY CARPARK OR IN THE METERED CARPARK TO THE EAST OF IT.
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