The original plan was to plant real flowers at the steps of East Kowloon Cultural Centre but the proposal was ultimately altered into installing HK$500,000 worth of LED roses due to insufficient budget, according to documents of the Kwun Tong district council.
The documents showed that during a meeting in January, the council first suggested decorating the area with real flowers that were in season, like rhododendron, to create a flower sea effect.
Yet, in a meeting this month, the Kwun Tong District Office decided not to opt for the original proposal after further discussions and on-site inspections with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Architectural Services Department, citing technical considerations and budget limitations.
According to a document dated March 7, the completion date for the installment is estimated to be Friday.
The LED roses will then operate on a trial run for four days and will be on public display after a lighting ceremony at 6.30 pm next Tuesday (Mar 26). The display will run for about three months and may be extended depending on its effects, citizens’ responses and relevant financial arrangements.
Lawmaker Frankie Ngan Man-yu from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong said he hasn’t inspected the area on site and believes the outcome will be better once the work has been completed.
When asked about if the installation created “negative marketing”, Ngan said citizens pass through the road when they travel to and from the MTR station and it’s expected the installation will receive their attention.
Ngan also believes the East Kowloon Cultural Centre is the appropriate venue for the LED roses, saying it will be a new landmark at Kowloon East.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 