Taichung historic building fenced off for a year, residents complain 'it hasn't moved for a long time'

Residents in Taichung's West District are expressing frustration over the prolonged closure of the historic Datong Command Post, a Japanese-era government building. The site, located behind the Taichung State Hall, has been enclosed by fencing since August 2025, with locals observing no activity within the grounds, including the adjacent former XianGuang Village site.

The Taichung City Cultural Heritage Department has assured that renovation work on the Datong Command Post and the Taichung State Hall's ancillary buildings is ongoing. They stated that according to the contract, no operational activities are permitted during the preparation period, and the site is expected to be fully prepared and operational by January 21, 2027.

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There haven't been many activities at the Datong Command Post since that last event, and now it's all fenced off.

The Datong Command Post, built in 1924, is one of the few remaining Japanese-era government buildings in Taiwan. It was designated a historic landmark in 2006. In 2017, restoration work began on the building and its surrounding structures. In 2024, the Cheng Yi Group, through its "Cheng Yi Life Cultural and Creative" brand, secured a 17-year contract to manage and operate the site via a ROT (Rehabilitate-Operate-Transfer) model.

Despite the ongoing renovations, residents like Mr. Wang and Ms. Hu have voiced their disappointment. "There haven't been many activities at the Datong Command Post since that last event, and now it's all fenced off," said Mr. Wang. Ms. Hu added, "Taichung is really too boring; there isn't a decent market to shop at."

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Taichung is really too boring; there isn't a decent market to shop at.