The site of the Osaka Expo, which kicks off in April on the artificial island of Yumeshima, may turn into an auto racing circuit or a resort facility with a luxury hotel after the six-month event is over.
On Thursday, the prefecture and city of Osaka jointly announced two plans selected from proposals on what to do with the site of the expo, which is set run from April 13 to Oct. 13.
One of the chosen proposals envisages an entertainment complex housing a circuit and a large arena, as well as other facilities such as hotels, a shopping mall and an amusement park.
The Heart of Osaka project was submitted by a group of seven companies led by major construction company Obayashi. The circuit, which would wrap around the area, could potentially host major events, such as a Formula One race.
The second proposal was to build a major resort complex, which would include a luxury hotel that features grand facilities such as a water park. Based on a concept of being a place where visitors can refresh their minds and bodies, the area would be packed with other entertainment facilities, including a shopping mall and theaters.
The proposal was submitted by a group of six major companies, including Kanden Realty & Development, major trading company Sumitomo and Yoshimoto Kogyo, an entertainment management agency.
After the conclusion of the expo, the city plans to demolish the site ¡ª except for a few pavilions ¡ª and turn the remains into an international tourist hub.
The prefecture and city chose to solicit proposals for the 50-hectare site from both individual companies and conglomerates in November in order to take advantage of the know-how that the private sector has in carrying out large-scale construction.
¡°Given it would be the former site of the expo, we would like to carry on the philosophy of the expo,¡± Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama said Thursday. ¡°Since the IR (¡°integrated resort¡± facility, including a casino) is scheduled to open in the nearby area in 2030, we will also ensure (the new facility) will be compatible with the IR, all in an effort to establish an international tourism hub that will lead the growth and development of Osaka City.¡±
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