HCRD implements 85 percent of historic Dir’iyah projects

RIYADH: The High Commission for Riyadh Development (HCRD) announced yesterday that it has implemented 85 percent of its projects in Albijeeri within the historic Dir’iyah of Riyadh.
Completed projects include a mosque, cultural facilities, central business districts, administrative offices and parking lots.
According to the HCRD’s statement, the development reconstructs and converts Dir’iyah into a cultural center and tourist spot at the national level while maintaining the characteristics of its historical, cultural, architectural heritage and environmental preservation.
The project will also highlight the value of the neighborhood Albijeera and employ its various elements, notably its strategic location overlooking the Hanifa valley and serve the general objectives of the development program.
The project includes the construction of headquarters of “Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulwahab Cultural Center” on an area of 9,700 square meters, which includes both information and libraries, electronic Islamic teaching, research and studies, and dialogue and the Internet. It also offers a memorial hall, which provides Da’wah in an audiovisual show.
Other highlights include interesting museums, in addition to the restoration of a mosque, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abd Al-Wahhab, which can accommodate more than 1,000 worshipers, with a supplementary building housing the imam and muezzin.
The projects also will include the establishment of a central area, which occupies most of the remaining parts of the neighborhood, and working to provide various services for visitors across a range of elements such as the main square, which extends over an area of 3,200 square meters. It has more than 80 shops, cafes and restaurants in addition to places for sitting overlooking both Wadi Hanifa and the opposite Turaif District.The place also can be used for folkloric shows and seasonal events.
The arena also is associated with an underground public parking that can accommodate more than 350 cars. The project has also allocated a number of “Heritage Houses” in the district with an area of 1,635 square meters, to be used as the headquarters for both Diriyah historical development program, and the center for the Qura’n memorization association in Dir’iya province.
There are also some elements under construction in the project. There is a large part of the park Dir’iyah located in Wadi Hanifa in the part that separates the neighborhood Albijeera and Turaif District along with renovation of a Zuihirah Mosque and its rehabilitation in accordance with the scientific method used in the restoration of facilities archaeological, and provide requirements and modern services for prayer and maintaining its historical value.
The expenses of renovation of the 700-square-meter mosque has been met by Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, secretary-general of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.