Demolition Order for 2 Buildings Near Royal Palace
Government officials have ordered the immediate demolition of two buildings located within blocks of the Royal Palace because the structures are taller than the allowed limit for buildings surrounding the palace, officials said Wednesday.
One building, owned by Vattanac Properties, is located a block from the palace on Sisowath Quay near Street 184. The other, owned by a businessman, is located two blocks away in an alley off Street 19 behind the Royal University of Fine Arts. …
Roeung Phallin, Chey Chumneah commune chief, confirmed that at least one building was slated for demolition. …
A document signed October 1 by Phnom Penh governor Pa Socheatvong orders the immediate suspension of construction on the Vattanac building. …
Though the statement does not mention demolition of either building, Mr. Socheatvong was quoted in a story online Wednesday by local newspaper Kampuchea Thmey Daily saying demolition would occur “immediately.”
“The upper level ordered Phnom Penh to demolish the two buildings immediately as a model for other buildings” around the Royal Palace, the newspaper quotes the governor as saying after a meeting Wednesday with nine district governors at City Hall. …
Officials claim the two buildings in question have been constructed higher than the allowed limit in their contracts. …
Mr. Hun Sen was quoted last year as saying during the inaugural ceremony of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction’s new building on Monivong Boulevard that there would no longer be restrictions on building around the palace. …
Aun Pheap and Joshua Wilwohl
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/demolition-order-for-2-buildings-near-royal-palace-45306/
