Zhu Bei East District Market faces budget and delay controversy

Controversy is mounting over the construction of the Zhu Bei East District Market in Hsinchu County, Taiwan. Hsinchu County Councilor Lin Shuo-yen has criticized Mayor Cheng Chao-fang’s administration, alleging that the project’s budget has ballooned from 550 million TWD to 1.4 billion TWD.

The project, originally slated for completion in September 2024 under the previous administration, has faced significant delays. Following Cheng’s assumption of office in late 2022, the market plans were redesigned to increase floor area ratio, resulting in a multi-story waterfront market design. However, critics argue this overhaul has caused the project to miss its deadlines, with the construction still in the bidding preparation stage as of 2026.

Lin has questioned the lack of environmental impact assessments and the rising fiscal costs, accusing the administration of a “dynasty-style” governance approach where previous plans are discarded to leave a personal political mark. The Zhu Bei City Office responded that the redesign was necessary because the original plan utilized only 30% of the available floor area ratio.