Century-Old 'Fengshan Street Office' Structure Discovered, Kaohsiung Cultural Affairs Bureau Pledges Preservation
During earthquake reinforcement work at Kaohsiung Public Library's Caogong Branch, structures from the century-old "Fengshan Street Office" were unexpectedly uncovered. The Cultural Affairs Bureau has promised to adjust the construction to avoid damaging the relics and aims to fully restore the arched windows. Cultural and historical groups are advocating for the preservation and utilization of this historical site, with the Bureau consulting experts and considering cultural asset value assessment.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 14:18
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 14:31 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 17:37 (3h 5m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, 17th) During recent earthquake reinforcement work at Kaohsiung Public Library's Caogong Branch, structures from the century-old "Fengshan Street Office" were unexpectedly revealed. Cultural and historical groups hope for a complete inventory of the building's condition and restoration to its original appearance. The Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that it will adjust the project to avoid damaging the relics.
DPP Kaohsiung City Councilor Lin Chih-hung held a press conference with cultural and historical groups at the original site today and submitted a petition, pleading for the historical building. Lin Chih-hung said that the Caogong Branch's recent construction accidentally uncovered early architectural remains. Although the Cultural Affairs Bureau promptly halted work, preserving space for public discussion, cultural and historical workers are still concerned that more historical objects might be damaged by the project and hope the Cultural Affairs Bureau will have a complete plan.
The Kaohsiung Public Library Caogong Branch was once the "Fengshan Street Office" during the Japanese colonial era a century ago. After being taken over by the KMT government post-war, it served as the Kaohsiung County Police Bureau and later as the Fengshan Township Office. The library closed in January this year for earthquake reinforcement work, during which the arched window red bricks of the century-old building were unexpectedly discovered. Through comparison with old photos and existing red bricks, it was confirmed to be a precious historical original appearance.
Deputy Director-General Chien Mei-ling of the Cultural Affairs Bureau also participated in the on-site inspection today and responded to the demands of cultural and historical workers. She said that after multiple repairs and expansions, the original appearance of this historical building was no longer visible. The accidental discovery of historical red brick structures during this project led the Cultural Affairs Bureau to conduct professional consultations, requesting the structural team to adjust the structural positions of the project. After the project is completed, the arched windows will be fully presented, and the bureau will also work with cultural and historical groups to promote culture.
Chen Kun-yi, Executive Director of the Takao Cultural and Historical Revival Society, said that during the 228 Incident, the Fengshan Street Office, police station, and surrounding Zhongshan Hall were important sites for changes in the local situation. Fengshan ultimately avoided larger-scale military-civilian conflicts, and these related spaces were key witnesses. Now that the old Zhongshan Hall no longer exists, if even the Street Office relics are damaged during the project, the local historical fabric may be broken again.
During the event, cultural and historical workers submitted a petition through Lin Chih-hung, calling for an inventory of the current situation, public dialogue, and historical integration. They hope that, under permissible engineering conditions, the ultimate goal will be the complete restoration of the exterior, and in addition to maintaining the existing library facilities, the function of promoting Fengshan's cultural history should be enhanced, making this place a key hub for integrating Fengshan's old city area from the Japanese colonial and Qing dynasties.
Regarding the cultural asset value assessment requested by cultural and historical workers, Chien Mei-ling said that although this building is over 50 years old, because the scale of this earthquake reinforcement project did not reach the disposal standard, a cultural asset assessment is not required by regulations. Subsequent attention will be paid to the basic assessment of investigation and research. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150417
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(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, 17th) During recent earthquake reinforcement work at Kaohsiung Public Library's Caogong Branch, structures from the century-old "Fengshan Street Office" were unexpectedly revealed. Cultural and historical groups hope for a complete inventory of the building's condition and restoration to its original appearance. The Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that it will adjust the project to avoid damaging the relics.
DPP Kaohsiung City Councilor Lin Chih-hung held a press conference with cultural and historical groups at the original site today and submitted a petition, pleading for the historical building. Lin Chih-hung said that the Caogong Branch's recent construction accidentally uncovered early architectural remains. Although the Cultural Affairs Bureau promptly halted work, preserving space for public discussion, cultural and historical workers are still concerned that more historical objects might be damaged by the project and hope the Cultural Affairs Bureau will have a complete plan.
The Kaohsiung Public Library Caogong Branch was once the "Fengshan Street Office" during the Japanese colonial era a century ago. After being taken over by the KMT government post-war, it served as the Kaohsiung County Police Bureau and later as the Fengshan Township Office. The library closed in January this year for earthquake reinforcement work, during which the arched window red bricks of the century-old building were unexpectedly discovered. Through comparison with old photos and existing red bricks, it was confirmed to be a precious historical original appearance.
Deputy Director-General Chien Mei-ling of the Cultural Affairs Bureau also participated in the on-site inspection today and responded to the demands of cultural and historical workers. She said that after multiple repairs and expansions, the original appearance of this historical building was no longer visible. The accidental discovery of historical red brick structures during this project led the Cultural Affairs Bureau to conduct professional consultations, requesting the structural team to adjust the structural positions of the project. After the project is completed, the arched windows will be fully presented, and the bureau will also work with cultural and historical groups to promote culture.
Chen Kun-yi, Executive Director of the Takao Cultural and Historical Revival Society, said that during the 228 Incident, the Fengshan Street Office, police station, and surrounding Zhongshan Hall were important sites for changes in the local situation. Fengshan ultimately avoided larger-scale military-civilian conflicts, and these related spaces were key witnesses. Now that the old Zhongshan Hall no longer exists, if even the Street Office relics are damaged during the project, the local historical fabric may be broken again.
During the event, cultural and historical workers submitted a petition through Lin Chih-hung, calling for an inventory of the current situation, public dialogue, and historical integration. They hope that, under permissible engineering conditions, the ultimate goal will be the complete restoration of the exterior, and in addition to maintaining the existing library facilities, the function of promoting Fengshan's cultural history should be enhanced, making this place a key hub for integrating Fengshan's old city area from the Japanese colonial and Qing dynasties.
Regarding the cultural asset value assessment requested by cultural and historical workers, Chien Mei-ling said that although this building is over 50 years old, because the scale of this earthquake reinforcement project did not reach the disposal standard, a cultural asset assessment is not required by regulations. Subsequent attention will be paid to the basic assessment of investigation and research. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150417
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.