Taichung Prefectural Hall was one of five major prefectural halls constructed during the Japanese colonial era. Turning over the building to the central government without any compensation is unacceptable, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) said, adding that such a decision belittled the hall. The city government had received multiple complaints regarding the decision, which was made under former Taichung mayor Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), Lu said. Lin had previously signed an agreement with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to turn over the hall and “upgrade” it to a national-level museum. By maintaining the hall’s historic status, the municipality hopes to draw more tourists to West Central District (中西), Lu said.

Source: Taipei Times February 15, 2020 15:56 UTC