The site of the proposed re-development project in Victoria Street, Penang.

AN OPEN tender for the proposed re-development of a state land into a talent centre in Lebuh Victoria will be called next month.

Penang Development Corporation general manager Datuk Rosli Jaafar said lots 702 to 705 would be turned into a Penang Centre for Creative Animation Trigger — a conducive centre for creative people to work on their talent.

“The 1,223 sqm land located near the junction of Victoria Street and Acheh Street Ghaut has been acquired by the state.

“Previously, the warehouses there were dilapidated.

“There is not much space tore-develop. We had a discussion with the George Town World Heritage Incorporated and they agreed that we can add a bit of height to the back section of one of the buildings,” he told a press conference in Komtar, Penang, on Monday.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, however, disagreed, saying that‘creative people should give wayto traditional craftsmen’.

“We are more interested to house traditional craftsmen in the centre. We need to have a living heritage.

“Let us see if they can be housed there. Traditional craftsmen give meaning to the heritage site,” he said.

Lim said there would only be a nominal fee and a small percentage charged for the craftsmen at the centre.

“This is to encourage more traditional craftsmen to be located there,” he said.