Changdong Private History Completed After 22 Years... From 'Eyesore' to 'Dobong District Landmark'

Ten Above-Ground Floors, Total Floor Area of About 86,571 Square Meters
Equipped with Retail and Transportation Facilities... Expected to Revitalize Local Business Districts

The Changdong Private History in Dobong District, Seoul, has been completed 22 years after construction began. Dobong District announced on March 31 that it finalized the completion process for Changdong Private History on March 30.

This marks 22 years since the construction was reported in December 2004. The Changdong Private History consists of two basement levels and ten above-ground floors, covering a building area of approximately 25,407 square meters and a total floor area of about 86,571 square meters. It is equipped with transportation and retail facilities, among others.

O Unseok, Mayor of Dobong District, inspected the overall facilities at the Changdong Private Station site along with related personnel on the 29th. Provided by Dobong District.

The path to completion was fraught with difficulties. Although development was pursued in 2007, construction was halted in 2010 due to the operator's management issues. Even as the company underwent corporate rehabilitation procedures and the construction company was replaced, the project could not resume, and the site remained an eyesore in the community for over a decade. After corporate rehabilitation and project normalization in 2021, construction finally resumed in 2022.

There were numerous hurdles to clear before completion. The district held multiple inspection meetings with stakeholders from Changdong Private History to push the project back on track. Dobong District also directly mediated and reached an agreement between Korea Railroad Corporation and Seoul Metro regarding the allocation of transportation revenue from ticket collection. The district resolved a series of complex issues—including the opening of an urban planning road, restructuring the traffic system, and relocating obstructive facilities—through administrative efforts.

On March 29, the day before the completion was finalized, Oh Eun-seok, Mayor of Dobong District, along with the Deputy Mayor, directors, and heads of related departments, personally inspected the interior and exterior of Changdong Private History, newly established entrances and exits, and the overall flow of passenger movement.

The district expects the completion of Changdong Private History to bring significant changes to the local economy. It anticipates that, as residents' spending that had been flowing outside the area now takes place within the community, this will revitalize local business districts and strengthen the foundation for the local economy’s self-sufficiency.

Mayor Oh stated, "Although this project remained a source of concern for the community for a long time due to repeated construction halts and various issues, we persevered and solved each complex problem one by one, ultimately leading to its completion. This marks the fulfillment of the wishes of 300,000 Dobong District residents and serves as a new starting point for the future development of Dobong District."

Eon-Seok Oh, Mayor of Dobong District (center), is receiving an update on the project progress from a field official at Changdong Private Station on the 29th. Provided by Dobong District.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.