The Seoul city government plans to develop floating office and hotel buildings and create water sports facilities on the Han River by 2030, officials said Wednesday, in the city's latest project to increase the potential of the river running across the city. Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the plan in a press briefing as part of his broader Great Han River Project initiative aimed at better utilizing and enhancing the allure of the river. The city said a total of 236.6 billion won (US$172.9 million) from the city budget, along with private funding of 313.5 billion won, will be injected into the latest project. As part of the plan, floating offices and a floating hotel will be constructed on the river, equipped with accommodation, leisure and convention facilities. The hotel, once constructed, will provide boat transportation and boat tour services to hotel guests. The city plans to begin the hotel construction in 2026. In order to increase access to water sports on the river for Seoulites, a cable-based wate r ski range will be created while the membership-based wind-surfing ground near the riverside neighborhood of Ttukseom in eastern Seoul will be open to all users. Seoul also plans to host boat parades, riverside movie events and other riverside leisure programs. Additionally, marina facilities will be created on the Jamsil and Ichon sides of the Han River, in southeastern and northwestern Seoul, respectively, to achieve a 1,000-boat marina capacity along the river. The envisioned Jamsil marina, with the capacity to host mid- to large-size ships, is scheduled to open for service in 2026. The planned Ichon marina, named Han River Art Pier, will be additionally equipped with a floating swimming pool, a scenery observation platform and other leisure facilities when it opens to the public in 2026, city officials said. In October this year, the city is also scheduled to create a wharf under the southern end of the Mapo Bridge on the western Han River to further facilitate cruise ferry operations. Going forwar d, the city also plans to open a river terminal, named Seoul Port, in the riverside neighborhood of Yeouido, which will host passenger ferries smaller than 5,000 tons operating along the route linking the Han River to the Yellow Sea. The city expects the project could generate economic benefits of 925.6 billion won and lead to the creation of up to 6,800 jobs, helping enhance the city's competitiveness. "This project will transform the Han River into a space where citizens can enjoy their everyday lives ... the Han River will be turned into an everyday space for citizens, the center of leisure and the hub of development," Mayor Oh said. Source: Yonhap News Agency