GEOJE — Commercial streets in Tongyeong and Geoje, two cities in South Gyeongsang Province hit by flooding during torrential rains in August, will have their shop signs overhauled. South Gyeongsang Province said on the 20th that the two cities had been selected for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's 2027 signboard improvement program.
The two cities will spend a combined 734 million won ($510,000) to replace aging signs and upgrade building facades. The project aims to improve the urban landscape while restoring living conditions and reviving slumping commercial districts in areas damaged by the heavy rains. A total of 19 municipalities across 11 provinces and metropolitan cities were selected in this year's competition.
Tongyeong will invest 293 million won to renovate a 510-meter stretch of Misu Coastal Road running from Misu-dong to Bongpyeong-dong. The city will overhaul aging and illegal signs and window advertising at 41 businesses along the route, and bring building facades into line with the surrounding landscape.
Geoje will spend 441 million won on a 280-meter section of Gohyeon Youth Street along Gohyeon-ro in Gohyeon-dong. Having completed a first phase of work this year, the city has extended the project to the storefronts across the street that were flooded. The goal is to create a distinctive street that draws young people and tourists.
"This selection is the result of preparations made jointly by Tongyeong and Geoje, local residents and merchants," said Jang Jae-hyuk, director general of the provincial Urban and Housing Bureau. "Through sign improvements that reflect local character, we will carry out the project thoroughly so that it improves living conditions in areas damaged by the torrential rains and adds vitality to local commerce."