Weak-Story Reinforcement Project for Lotus Building Begins, Four Other Hualien Cases Pending
Two years after the 0403 earthquake, the weak-story reinforcement project for Hualien City's Lotus Building began today, expected to be completed by March next year. However, four other key communities are still awaiting commencement, with residents urging for concurrent exterior wall renovation.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 16:11
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 16:32 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 18:36 (2h 4m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chi, Hualien County, 8th) Two years after the 0403 strong earthquake, the weak-story reinforcement project for Hualien City's residential complex "Lotus Building" held its groundbreaking ceremony today, with completion expected by the end of March next year. Four other landmark communities have yet to commence work. Residents of Lotus Building have also applied for an exterior wall renovation project, hoping for accelerated approval and simultaneous construction.
The Lotus Building consists of four 17-story buildings, totaling 128 households. After the 0403 earthquake, it was assessed as a yellow-tag building and is the fourth landmark community to begin construction after the quake. The building's management committee estimates that over 40 households still reside within the community.
Lotus Building's committee chairwoman, Chang Hui-lan, said that the weak-story reinforcement project is being assisted by the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering. The project cost is approximately NT$76 million, with the central government subsidizing up to NT$15 million per building, based on an 85% reinforcement standard. After deducting government subsidies, each household will bear approximately NT$145,000.
She stated that the reinforcement scope includes thickening some partition walls, removing walls, strengthening structural columns, and enhancing weak stories. Construction will not affect existing residents during the period.
She also mentioned that for the cracked and damaged exterior walls and public space renovation, an application has been submitted to the National Land Management Agency for the "Urban Renewal Renovation and Maintenance Plan." The preliminary estimated cost is about NT$67 million, with a construction period of approximately 3 to 4 years. After deducting the government's 50% subsidy, each household will bear about NT$540,000 to NT$550,000. This is currently in the administrative process and has not yet been approved.
Chang Hui-lan stated that the road to reconstruction is like a long obstacle course, and residents have been mentally exhausted for two years. She hopes that the central and local governments can quickly approve the ongoing exterior wall renovation project so that both projects can start simultaneously, shortening the construction time.
A resident surnamed Wang said that after the disaster, he spent over NT$500,000 to repair his own home, but public space walls still leaked water. Regarding the remaining self-funded amount of over NT$500,000, he wryly said he could only grit his teeth and bear it. A resident surnamed Fang said that he had been living in fear every day since the earthquake and hopes the reinforcement project will be completed soon.
Dr. Lin Min-lang of the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering stated that earthquake-damaged houses are like a warning from God. Buildings assessed by experts to have minor damage to structures and beams/columns can undergo weak-story reinforcement. From residents reaching a consensus, completing design planning, and submitting for expert, engineer, and scholar review, it all takes time to ensure the goal of improving seismic resistance is achieved. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150508
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(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chi, Hualien County, 8th) Two years after the 0403 strong earthquake, the weak-story reinforcement project for Hualien City's residential complex "Lotus Building" held its groundbreaking ceremony today, with completion expected by the end of March next year. Four other landmark communities have yet to commence work. Residents of Lotus Building have also applied for an exterior wall renovation project, hoping for accelerated approval and simultaneous construction.
The Lotus Building consists of four 17-story buildings, totaling 128 households. After the 0403 earthquake, it was assessed as a yellow-tag building and is the fourth landmark community to begin construction after the quake. The building's management committee estimates that over 40 households still reside within the community.
Lotus Building's committee chairwoman, Chang Hui-lan, said that the weak-story reinforcement project is being assisted by the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering. The project cost is approximately NT$76 million, with the central government subsidizing up to NT$15 million per building, based on an 85% reinforcement standard. After deducting government subsidies, each household will bear approximately NT$145,000.
She stated that the reinforcement scope includes thickening some partition walls, removing walls, strengthening structural columns, and enhancing weak stories. Construction will not affect existing residents during the period.
She also mentioned that for the cracked and damaged exterior walls and public space renovation, an application has been submitted to the National Land Management Agency for the "Urban Renewal Renovation and Maintenance Plan." The preliminary estimated cost is about NT$67 million, with a construction period of approximately 3 to 4 years. After deducting the government's 50% subsidy, each household will bear about NT$540,000 to NT$550,000. This is currently in the administrative process and has not yet been approved.
Chang Hui-lan stated that the road to reconstruction is like a long obstacle course, and residents have been mentally exhausted for two years. She hopes that the central and local governments can quickly approve the ongoing exterior wall renovation project so that both projects can start simultaneously, shortening the construction time.
A resident surnamed Wang said that after the disaster, he spent over NT$500,000 to repair his own home, but public space walls still leaked water. Regarding the remaining self-funded amount of over NT$500,000, he wryly said he could only grit his teeth and bear it. A resident surnamed Fang said that he had been living in fear every day since the earthquake and hopes the reinforcement project will be completed soon.
Dr. Lin Min-lang of the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering stated that earthquake-damaged houses are like a warning from God. Buildings assessed by experts to have minor damage to structures and beams/columns can undergo weak-story reinforcement. From residents reaching a consensus, completing design planning, and submitting for expert, engineer, and scholar review, it all takes time to ensure the goal of improving seismic resistance is achieved. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150508
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.