The former Traveller’s Shelter in Kaji City is being renovated into a community creation center.

The former Traveller’s Shelter in Kaji City, once a site of industrial activity and later a hub for the homeless, is undergoing a transformation that reflects a broader effort to address housing insecurity and foster community engagement. The Cultural Department of the Municipality of Kaji has secured funding to renovate the 294-year-old building located on Toyotung Road. This project, titled “Gali City Re-establishment of the History of the Land of Kaji City – Rehabilitation and Viewing Project for the Traveller’s Shelter,” includes a $16.8 million grant from the Cultural Property Department of the Ministry of Culture and an additional $7.2 million from the Municipal Cooperation Fund.

The renovation aims to convert the historic site into a “Creation Centre for Community Cooperation in Woodbreeding Localities.” This initiative is designed to promote local creativity and innovation, with an emphasis on involving the youth of the city. The building, which was previously the premises of the Taiwan Bar Association’s Garuda Factory, has a rich historical background. Its high chimneys were once depicted in a painting by Chen Xianbo, symbolizing the industrial prosperity of the era.

Originally constructed in 1943 near the Karai Tama Post Office, the building served as a shelter for workers during the day-care period, known as the “brick miller.” It was later repurposed as a tourist shelter in the aftermath of the war. In 2003, the facility was transferred to the municipality of Karai and administered by the municipal police.

The project includes plans for district-level configuration, building design, and space utilization. Interior renovations will focus on the two buildings on the east and west sides, along with the renovation of the west porch and road work at the entrance square. The Director of Culture, Lu Yijun, noted that discussions with the municipal police will follow an inspection and fine-tuning process before the facility opens.

This transformation of the former Traveller’s Shelter underscores a commitment to reimagining spaces for community benefit and reflects a broader effort to address the needs of vulnerable populations through public policy and collaborative initiatives.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Mandarin Chinese)