Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM – About 30 percent of work on the Awamiya development project has been completed, according to Mohammed Al-Sufyan, spokesman for the Eastern Province Municipality.

Spreading over an area of 180,000 square meters, the project is expected to cost SR238.98 million. Eastern Province Emir Prince Saud Bin Naif laid the foundation stone for the project in February 2018.

“At present a number of buildings including a tower and a popular market are being constructed as part of the project,” the spokesman told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

He said the new cultural center in Awamiya would have a special venue to organize national events and festivals. Other projects include an open market, a recreational center and a heritage building.

Al-Sufyan reported speedy progress in the work. “We have instructed contractors to work around the clock and supply all required building materials without wasting time,” he said.

The project is located in the center of Awamiya town in Qatif governorate. The buildings are designed incorporating Qatif’s architectural heritage, Al-Sufyan said.

The cultural center, which is one of the key projects in the Awamiya development plan, will cover an area of 5,323 square meters. “The cultural center will be the heart of the Awamiya development project. It will have three buildings: a library, a conference hall and an exhibition center,” Al-Sufyan explained.

“The heritage tower with three adjacent buildings will cover 866 square meters,” he said, adding that all buildings would reflect the region’s architectural heritage.

The popular market will spread over an area of 4,327 square meters. It will have seven buildings with one or two floors, the spokesman said. Businessmen can invest in commercial projects in these buildings, he added.

“Some buildings will have open areas where people can establish cafes, resting places and exhibit various goods,” Al-Sufyan said. About 94,000 square meters of the project is allocated for gardens and entertainment centers. The project will have 55,000 square meters of greenery.

“We’ll plant 200 date palms and 500 colorful plants and trees in the project’s surroundings. Special playing areas for children will be established near the gardens,” he said.

Three roads will be constructed to link the project with the residential districts of Awamiya, he added.