Phnom Penh Municipality has agreed to lease two run-down public gardens for use as gas stations in exchange for $1,000 a month in tax revenue, Chea Sophara, the first deputy governor of Phnom Penh, said Sunday.
One garden is at the corner of Monivong Boulevard and Ang Duong Street and the other is on Street 47, north of Wat Phnom.
The city has entered into a 70-year lease with Total Cambodge because it is unable to maintain the gardens, which are frequented by cyclo drivers, vagrants and prostitutes, Chea Sophara said.
“People don’t help to keep it clean. They trash it and sleep there,” he said of the gardens.
Construction is to begin in April and take three to four months to complete, said Herve Baj, general director for Total Cambodge. The city is selecting the contractor, Chea Sophara said.
