Colon St. to get P5M facelift

Rama plans to give street its ‘old grandeur,’ convert it to ‘walking zone’ off limits to vehicles Rama issues EO 14-7 in support of project

TO restore Colon St., Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will start a P5-million revitalization project for the country’s oldest street.

He also wants to make the street a “walking zone,” prohibiting public utility jeepneys and other vehicles from using the street.

Rama has issued Executive Order (EO) 14-7 covering the matter.

“It is recognized that the once celebrated and famous center of downtown Cebu, the Colon St., has become a low-grade or second class shopping center. To restore its grandeur and to compete with other shopping malls and centers, there is a need to strengthen Colon St.’s economic viability and sustainability, hence, this revitalization concept is imperative,” Rama said.

Under the four-page EO, the revitalization project for Colon will cover eight areas.

This includes the establishment of boundary markers.

Rama said there will be an entrance and exit markers in the area, particularly besides McDonald’s Colon and the islands at the end of the street, to welcome those who are going to and leaving Colon.

An all-in-one world

class shopping, recreation and business center, he added, will be established in the area. It will have fashionable shops, offices, restaurants, fast food centers, movie theaters and coffee shops, among others.

Midnight Rama also wants to improve the night market operations in Colon, which is being held from 6 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, by having uniform stalls.

“Vendors, retailers and crews shall have a uniform dress code and shall wear a name plate,” he said.

Also, Rama said the aesthetic value of Colon will be enhanced “glamorously” and elegantly” in order to make it at par with other world-class shopping centers.

Arts, crafts “This may include putting up captivating lights, decorative arts or crafts to improve the night market operations,” he said.

Rama also said the road, drainage and sidewalk in the area will be repaired and improved by the Department of Engineering and Public Works. Such works will include pothole patching, asphalt repair road leveling and widening of sidewalks.

“Drainage problem in the area shall also be addressed,” he said.

Landmarks Rama said he seeks to establish and improve the historical landmarks in Colon in order to enhance its cultural value and its historical significance and beauty.

Rama said the security at Colon will be enhanced by deputizing more police officers and traffic enforcers. He wants each establishment to provide a help-desk to be manned by policemen.

Rama said he wants Colon to be a walking zone such that jeepneys and private vehicles will no longer be allowed to pass through it. However, in order to implement it, he said necessary resolutions or ordinance will have to be passed at the City Council.

To ensure the smooth implementation of the Colon revitalization project, Rama said the City Government will establish partnership and linkages with the private sector.

As for funds, Rama said it will be financed under the Office of the Mayor’s Special Fund for 2015.