Beautifully-designed cafes, housed in old buildings, line Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur, as patrons stand patiently outside the premises. Hidden bars, with interesting themes, meanwhile, continue to pique the interest of visitors.
Those who have not visited Petaling Street over the years will find such changes refreshing. The road, after all, has been around since the mid-1800s and quickly developed into a core business area. It is said that Petaling Street’s golden era was between the 1960s and 1980s, but things went downhill with the development of other enclaves in the city.
Nevertheless, the buildings have stood the test of time, and today, they house a different set of occupants, serving a very different crowd. In short, Petaling Street is somewhat rejuvenated and continues to be relevant.
The same, however, cannot be said about Pekan Ampang, located some 12km away.
Pekan Ampang shares a similar history as Petaling Street – its heyday was during the thriving mining scene in the Klang Valley, with buildings along Jalan Besar Ampang built in 1913 and 1916.
The difference, however, is that the structures and the location’s rich history are not given the due respect they deserve. They look run down, are not fully occupied, and some of the businesses do not fit the evolving demographics in the area. It is pretty much dead as the sun sets.
Pekan Ampang has the potential of reclaiming its past glory, of being the main road that can be an attraction to locals and those staying outside Ampang. It is within walking distance from the Ampang LRT station, while ample parking is available at Bandar Baru Ampang.
Well-designed cafes and eateries nestled inside old buildings, similar to those in Petaling Street, could perhaps do the trick. Efforts should be made to attract such businesses to operate in Pekan Ampang. One way is to provide incentives for building owners to repaint and maintain the facade of their property. As they offer some heritage value, the facade should remain as it was first built, close to a century ago.
If the right types of eateries and businesses are set up, the long lines will surely come. Nearby Pandan Indah is the best example of a foodie’s haven in the area.
It is also a great way to bring in history buffs. Already, artists are flocking the area to capture these old buildings on canvas and paper. Some have even organised heritage walks there.
If history is properly recorded and projected via signages, more people will value the township. For example, the Chinese temples in and around Jalan Besar Ampang are over 100 years old.
It is understood there have been conversations by certain parties to inject life back into Pekan Ampang. It remains unclear if they are real, or just political talk, given the looming general election.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) town planning department director, Zuraina Said, had last week, said there were plans to preserve Pekan Ampang, and that the council had incorporated its preservation into the MPAJ Draft Plan 2035.
“It has historical significance and the buildings that still have the old facade should be maintained, so that history is preserved,” Zuraina added.
The plans, if they materialise, are certainly noble. They should, however, not mirror the failed food court called Laman Niaga @ Ampang WaterFront 3. That food court is best described as a white elephant, a waste of space due to the lack of imagination by those who are clearly not familiar with the food and beverage scene.
Pekan Ampang has so much to offer. It should be given a breath of new life – similar to Petaling Street.
If done well, Pekan Ampang could recapture its golden era as the heart and soul of Ampang.
