Nishinomiya City in Hyogo Prefecture has announced that the total project cost for the "JR Nishinomiya Station Southwest District Redevelopment Project," which is being promoted in the southwest area of JR Nishinomiya Station, has increased by 10 billion yen from the initial plan to approximately 31.3 billion yen.
This redevelopment project officially began in 2017. The area previously housed the Nishinomiya City Wholesale Market (former public market) and the Nishinomiya Higashi Wholesale Market (private market). However, issues such as facility deterioration and operational challenges became evident, leading to the abolition of the public market in 2019 under the basic policy for the development of Nishinomiya's wholesale markets established in 2013, with the private market being integrated.
Nevertheless, old wooden buildings remain densely clustered, and efforts to improve fire resistance and seismic safety, as well as the development of urban infrastructure such as public squares, are still inadequate. Ensuring the functionality of National Route 2, which serves as an emergency transport route during disasters, also makes the fireproofing and seismic upgrading of adjacent buildings an urgent issue.
The redevelopment of this area aims to not only restructure the wholesale market as a food distribution hub for Nishinomiya City but also to promote the formation of vibrant and attractive urban spaces suitable for the city's center. The overall goal is to update urban functions across the entire area and to enable rational and healthy land use.
Nishinomiya City is home to one of Japan's largest commercial facilities, Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens, and the home stadium of the professional baseball team Hanshin Tigers, Koshien Stadium. It consistently ranks among the top desired places to live in the Kansai region.
The JR Nishinomiya Station Southwest District, where the redevelopment plan is located, is at the heart of Nishinomiya City, which is known for its favorable residential reputation. It takes about 12 minutes by rapid train to JR Osaka Station and about 15 minutes to JR Sannomiya Station, providing excellent access to the two major terminal stations in Kansai.
Compared to the bustling Hankyu Nishinomiya Kitaguchi Station area, which is directly connected to Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens, this area may seem less impactful at first glance, but its potential is significant. The concentration of high-rise condominiums, commercial facilities, and a wholesale market gathering high-quality agricultural products from across the country is expected to create new economic effects and cycles, invigorating not just the district but the entire city.
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