ISSUE.

Historically, the inner city around the harbour area is considered as the oldest part of Georgetown. It's here that the first Sir Francis Light landed  on 17th. July, 1786. The commercial and port activity started after the opening.Most of the buildings built in early part of the century are still standing. The quality of architecture is considered to be very good, although some are suffering from neglect. The area will continue to deteriorate if there is no effort to upgrade it.

The Beach Street and the surrounding area used to be the traditional government, banking and mercantile centre of Penang. But over the past twenty years it has lost its image as retail shopping district due to a shift in bussiness activity and opportunities and land development elsewhere such as, KOMTAR, Bayan Baru newtownship and Air Itam newtownship.

At present, with most of the state government department have been relocated and the proposal to reclaim the sea along the new proposed Eastern Coastal road for a commercial and residential centre, the important of the area is diminishing.

With the completion of the Penang Bridge, the important of the ferry service will be critically reduced. Added to this, all port facilities and shipping support system have shift to Butterworth.

In view of this, the revitalization and redevelopment of the area is needed as quickly as possible in order to stop the drift. We need to improve the impact as a viable improvement, otherwise the socio-economic focus of the area will be lost.

The problem of Penang Yacht Club:

• Low tide - boats cannot access.
• Floating jetty are too long and dangerous for open sea marina.
• Boat owner have to take long walk.
• Constraint by small site.
• Land cost is very high.
• Disturbing waterfront promenade.
• No public mooring.

The problem surrounding:

• the area  is dead after  7 p.m.
• not enough good enclosed space for local and tourist.
• eating area is not maintened closely.