A former air force headquarters in downtown Taipei will be preserved and used as a startup accelerator to help new companies grow. That’s the word from Premier Mao Chi-kuo on Friday.
The 7.15-hectare former Air Force headquarters is located in Taipei’s most expensive residential area, and how the old site should be used has become the center of a heated debate.
Previously the Cabinet planned to turn the site into a commercial complex that includes shopping malls, offices, and hotels. But after much consideration, Premier Mao said that the Cabinet has decided to preserve all structures at the site and use it as a space to foster business startups.
"We want to preserve [the former Air Force headquarters] and turn it into a startup accelerator that fosters innovation in the arts, technology, and many other disciplines. We understand that the younger generation needs such a big, inclusive space," said Mao.
Premier Mao said that by preserving the former Air Force headquarters, the next generation can decide how they want to use this place.