Former magistracy to be converted into universal judicial education center
The Former North Kowloon Magistracy, a Grade 2 historic building located in Shum Shui Po, has been selected to be revitalized to continue the judicial spirit and traditions of the magistracy.
The Development Bureau announced that the former magistracy will be converted into the "NK (North Kowloon) Future" by the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong. The project will set up a universal judicial education center, expected to be completed in 2026, with its door open the same year.
The building will be used to connect the communities with free guided tours and open days to provide opportunities for the public to appreciate the historic building, enjoy its facilities, enhance their understanding and awareness of conserving and revitalizing historic buildings, linking up traditional and new cultural resources so as to promote local culture and creative arts.
A wide range of activities will be organized under four main themes: judicial education, Hong Kong culture, partnership and co-sharing, and leisure life.
The government will earmark about HK$160.5 million to subsidize the renovation project and another HK$5 million to support the initial operation of the project. It is expected to create over 30 jobs.
The government launched the Revitalisation Scheme in 2008 to invite proposals from non-profiting-making organizations to revitalize selected government-owned historic buildings in the form of social enterprise for operating in a self-sustainable manner.