The Multi-Cultural Community Center (Image courtesy of Dongducheon City)
DONGDUCHEON, Nov. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – A derelict apartment complex that stood as a stark reminder of U.S. military presence for over two decades is getting a new lease on life as a cultural center in Dongducheon, a city north of Seoul.
The city announced on November 19 that it will open a new Multi-Cultural Community Center on November 20, replacing the abandoned foreigner housing complex in Saengyeon-dong. The 30-billion-won project features a seven-story building with one basement level, spanning 9,420 square meters.
The original three-story complex, built by the city in 1974 to house U.S. military personnel and civilian workers, had fallen into disrepair after American forces departed in the early 1990s. The 36-unit building had become an eyesore in the heart of the city, standing abandoned for more than 20 years.
The transformation was made possible through a regional development grant of 18.5 billion won from the provincial government. The new facility, strategically located near traditional markets and eight schools, aims to serve residents of all ages with various cultural and educational offerings.
The center houses multiple facilities across its floors. The ground floor features a youth startup support center offering mentoring and office space for young entrepreneurs. The second floor includes a cultural center with performance spaces, multipurpose rooms, and dance studios.
The third floor is dedicated to youth services, including a cultural center, counseling and welfare center, and support facilities for students outside the traditional school system. The fourth through sixth floors house the Orbit Library, equipped with ICT-based experiential spaces, including children’s and teen sections, virtual reality zones, and smart sports areas.
The top floor is home to the Dongducheon Media Center, offering facilities for video production, editing, recording, and digital equipment training, along with movie screening capabilities.
“We hope this Multi-Cultural Community Center will become a creative space shared across generations,” said Park Hyung-deok, the mayor of Dongducheon. “It should meet our citizens’ cultural needs while injecting new vitality into our local community.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
