Part of Dutch colonial heritage site's yard demolished for underpass in Cimahi

The construction of the Gatot Subroto underpass in Cimahi, West Java, has led to the demolition of part of the yard of the Sudirman Building, a Dutch colonial-era cultural heritage site known locally as The Historich.

The front section of the building, a relic from the Dutch East Indies government, was dismantled to facilitate the underpass project. Large trees have also been felled, and road sections removed to support the tunnel road construction.

Machmud Mubarok, head of Cimahi's Cultural Heritage Expert Team (TACB), stated that the demolition of the yard does not impact the building's designation as a cultural heritage site. "The yard is fine; the heritage site is the building itself, not the yard," Mubarok explained. The Sudirman Building was officially designated a cultural heritage site by the Cimahi Mayor's Decree.

Built in 1895 during the Dutch colonial period, The Historich originally served as a gathering and entertainment venue, particularly for Dutch soldiers. It featured a theater, dance hall, and cinema for their leisure after battles or training.

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The yard is fine; the heritage site is the building itself, not the yard.