Braddell Heights residents wanted more childcare and senior care facilities within the community. Recognising this need, Seah Kian Peng, Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, pushed to repurpose the former Serangoon bus interchange into a community hub.
The former Serangoon bus interchange along Serangoon Central was once a popular transport node. It relocated to Nex shopping mall in 2011. Initially, the Housing & Development Board planned to establish retail shops at the former site.
However, Mr Seah, who has served as an MP at Braddell Heights for nearly 19 years, believed that providing essential services for the community was a more critical need and a better fit.
“Our neighbourhood already had many coffee shops and retail outlets, and so residents didn’t need more shops, ” Mr Seah explained to Petir. “What we truly needed were more childcare, daycare, and senior care facilities. I’m glad that HDB reconsidered their initial proposal after considering our feedback, and eventually agreed to change their plans to provide for more community services instead.”
The site was subsequently transformed into a community hub. It houses a childcare and preschool centre, a day care centre for seniors with dementia care services, a family clinic, a rehabilitation and wellness centre, a gym, and a café.
The plaza has become a lively space for locals, hosting group exercise activities, with a flea market held along the walkway every quarter.
Insufficient parking lots was also an issue for residents.
Mr Seah and his team discussed innovative ways with the authorities to resolve this problem. The bus parking bays at the former interchange were converted into nearly 120 surface car park lots. The developer of Nex also built a bridge to connect the mall to the multi-story car park at the hub, enhancing convenience for residents.
Seah Kian Peng: Making Braddell Heights a better home for residents
Braddell Heights, like much of Singapore, has a diverse community with young families moving in and older residents comfortable where they are. What is important is having amenities and services which cater to residents’ varying needs across different stages of their lives. Mr Seah has focused on enhancing amenities and the built environment to make Braddell Heights a better home for residents.
“I am happy that we now have more childcare, infant care facilities, daycare facilities and active ageing centres,” he said. “Building these amenities takes time.”
Many residents appreciate the convenience of the Northeast and Circle Line intersecting at Serangoon.
He recalled championing for the Circle Line to be opened in phases, so that residents could benefit from the rail service earlier. The first stage of the Circle Line, spanning from Bartley to Marymount station, commenced operations in May 2009. Three stations in the constituency – Bartley, Serangoon, and Lorong Chuan – were part of this initial phase.
“Initially, the authorities were not so keen to open just five MRT stations [in the first phase] because there were not many stations. But they subsequently obliged.”
Making sure lifts at pedestrian overhead bridges bring convenience to residents
Braddell Heights has a higher proportion of elderly residents compared to other constituencies in Marine Parade GRC, Mr Seah noted. During walkabouts and house visits, residents often request lifts over overhead bridges to address mobility challenges faced by the elderly.
Over the years, lifts were installed at two pedestrian overhead bridges, and two more bridges are scheduled to be fitted with lifts. Additionally, a lift was constructed to connect a residential block’s void deck to Upper Serangoon Road, providing easier access for elderly residents who previously struggled with the steep staircase.
Sunshine Park brings people together and helps strengthen community bonding
Within the neighborhood, residents desired more green spaces. In July 2008, a grassy area across from Block 401 Serangoon Avenue 1 was transformed into Serangoon Sunshine Park, featuring a playground and an amphitheatre.
“The park is well-utilised by residents of the 400-series housing estate and the nearby private estate,” Mr Seah said. ” It’s a place where people and families gather. In the process, this helps strengthen community bonding, bringing people together.”
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