Seoul said it will redevelop the Jeongneung public bus depot in Seongbuk-gu into a mixed-use complex combining transit functions with neighborhood sports and convenience facilities, including a swimming pool, a multipurpose gym and a fitness center.
The city said Tuesday it has prepared a basic plan to use the space above the Jeongneung bus depot at 771-7, Jeongneung-dong, and will move ahead with the project.
Seoul plans to request a central investment review from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in June and, depending on the outcome, proceed with follow-up steps including design and construction.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the site Tuesday afternoon to check conditions and urged progress on the long-delayed project. He also called for measures to ensure resident safety and reduce inconvenience during implementation.
The basic plan reflects the results of a planning study launched in September. Seoul said it kept the main uses and overall building scale from the earlier proposal, but reorganized space to cut costs by 10% and secured a temporary depot nearby to improve feasibility.
The project, fully funded by the city at about 40 billion won, requires the ministry review because it involves construction of sports facilities costing more than 30 billion won. Seoul said it had finalized the development’s uses after gathering resident input and in April last year submitted a plan centered on sports facilities for review, but was told to reconsider and has since adjusted the basic concept.
Under the plan, the Jeongneung bus depot will be rebuilt as a complex from two basement levels to three stories above ground, with a total floor area of 7,338 square meters. The ground floor will house bus parking, the first basement level will include a swimming pool, and the second and third floors will contain a multipurpose gym and a fitness center.
Seoul said it placed bus parking at ground level to fundamentally reduce safety risks such as fire, and separated circulation routes for the transport company’s offices and resident-use facilities to improve operations.
In February, the city held a briefing at the Jeongneung 4-dong community center attended by about 100 people, including Seoul’s political affairs vice mayor, a local lawmaker, the Seongbuk district mayor, city and district council members, and residents. Residents welcomed the plan but asked for quick, visible progress, saying it has been long sought by the community.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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