On Feb. 6, the Fukuoka City Urban Planning Committee approved a proposal to redevelop the municipal parking lot located on the south side of JR Hakata Station into a building containing a new bus terminal for cruise ship shuttle buses. The plan calls for comprehensively redeveloping the parking lot with the adjacent building owned by the Fukuoka branch of the Urban Renaissance Agency (“UR”). In addition to the terminal for cruise ship shuttle buses, the new building would also contain residential units. It would be connected to Hakata Station by a extending the second floor walkway that passes in front of JR Hakata City. The idea sprung from efforts to reduce gridlock at the Chikushi Gate of Hakata Station where cruise ship shuttle busses currently pick up and offload passengers. UR will cover the cost of the building and bus terminal development, while City Hall will pay for the elevated walkway construction. No time frame has been released for construction, but the parking lot will cease operating on March 31. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 2/8
Photo: Fukuoka City Hall (does NOT show the exact location)
