Dubai projects worth Dh1.74b take shape

FRAME, FISH MARKET, OBSERVATORY AND SAFARI AMONG MUNICIPALITY’S STAR ATTRACTIONS

Dubai Municipality is implementing 23 projects worth around Dh1.74 billion, Hussain Lootah, director-general of the municipality, said.

Among the most high-profile projects are Dubai Frame, Dubai Fish Market, Dubai Safari and the Thuraya astronomical observatory, he added.

Work on some projects is continuing from last year and they are governed by the previous budget. Lootah said some main projects are expected to be ready this year.

Mohammad Mashroom, Director, Project Management Department, Dubai Municipality, said the Dh160 million Dubai Frame project is 75 per cent complete and is expected to be ready by December.

The project, shaped like a giant window frame, is taking shape near Star Gate games and rides area of Zabeel Park. Dubai Frame will allow panoramic views of Old Dubai areas from one side and the New Dubai skyline from another.

The new municipality building in Al Garhoud area, where work is continuing, is slated for completion in December.

The same month will see the opening of a market and community centre in Hatta.

A cluster of villas there will be ready by September as well. Also finishing in September will be the Dh269 million fish market, which is 85 per cent ready.

Another project consisting of villas in Al Quoz will be ready by the end of this year.

In 2016, the municipality will complete nine main projects, including the Dh305 million African Village phase of the overall Dh1 billion Dubai Safari project, which is more than 30 per cent complete and expected to open in the third quarter of 2016.

Dubai Safari is coming up in the Al Warqa’a area. The Dh20 million Thuraya astronomical observatory will be built by June 2016 in Mushrif Park.