Alderman recommends Burnham Park master development plan implementation

CITY Councilor Edgar Avila is pushing for the implementation of a specific portion of the Burnham Park master development plan crafted by the University of Cordilleras (UC) as part of an effort to ease traffic congestion in the city particularly in the central business district area.

As pointed out by councilor Avila in his proposed measure the said master development plan for the Burnham Park Property Complex includes the area described as the Baguio Auditorium and which is currently being utilized and existing as a tourist bus parking area, located between the Baguio City National High School (BCHNS) campus and the skating rink area. That the said master plan contains a proposal for the putting up of a multi-level parking building with concession areas adopting green architecture concept at the said site of the former Baguio Auditorium. Avila pointed out that the implementation of that specific portion of the Burnham Park Master Development Plan could serve as an alternative to proposals for multi-level parking facilities in other areas of the city such as in the Ganza Parking area in Burnham Park.

The alderman added in his proposal, “that the said master development plan for the Burnham Park property complex provides for at least four hundred (400) parking spaces which will alleviate the parking problems of the city especially within the central business district area”.

As bared in his proposed ordinance the city councilor noted that several proposals have been introduced for the putting up of parking buildings at the ganza parking however this have been vigorously opposed and that as an acceptable alternative it would be best to implement the master development for Burnham Park which was crafted by the UC and studied, proposed and agreed upon by the said education institution and the city government of Baguio through then City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista.

If the proposed ordinance is approved the City Mayor will be given the authority to implement that particular portion of the Burnham Park master development plan which will be the establishment of a multi-level parking building amenities as well as concession areas adopting green architecture concept at the former Baguio Auditorium area and its surrounding grounds shall be designed and constructed with new library grounds and parks management.

Finally the proposed ordinance if it will be approved will also authorize the City Mayor to enter in a memorandum of agreement with any or all interested parties for the implementation of the said master development plan for Burnham Park particularly that portion thereof dealing with the former site of the Baguio Auditorium and the proposed parking building and its amenities that are to be built.