For years, the aging Sarinah Building has been a familiar sight to Jayapura residents who pass through the city center. Nearby, Ampera Field is still one of the few open spaces where community activities, informal sports, and public events bring people together.
Now, both sites are set to take on a new role.
Papua Governor Mathius Fakhiri announced the plan to transform the Sarinah Building into a Papua Souvenir Center and to develop the Ampera Field into a public park and tourism area on June 9. The provincial government said the initiative aims to support local micro, small, and medium enterprises and create new attractions in Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province.
The announcement is part of a wider provincial push to accelerate local economic activity via community-focused development, rather than through reliance on large-scale infrastructure projects.
“The provincial government expects the Sarinah Building to be a place that can be a center for visitors to find products that reflect the culture, creativity, and identity of Papua,” Fakhiri said in Jayapura. Several local media outlets quoted Fakhiri as saying, “We want this place to be a souvenir center for Papua.” “Visitors to Papua should easily find a place to buy products made by Papuans.
The governor also announced plans for Ampera Field, which will be reinvented as a public park and recreational facility meant to provide citizens with a more attractive and accessible urban space.
The proposal was instantly eye-catching, as it combines two priorities often talked about in Papua, economic empowerment and the need for more public spaces in growing urban areas.
Turning a City Landmark Into an Economic Hub
The Sarinah Building is strategically located in Jayapura and has long been known by the people of the city as one of the famous commercial landmarks.
The provincial government has decided to make use of the existing building, rather than build a new one.
Officials hope the site will become a showcase for products created by local entrepreneurs from all over Papua.
One of the greatest challenges faced by many small business owners is regular access to consumers. Local products such as handmade crafts, traditional artworks, processed food products, and woven noken bags are commonly sold through temporary exhibitions or limited retail outlets.
As a permanent shopping center that will display local products and market them to both domestic and international visitors, the proposed Papua Souvenir Center is meant to overcome the problem.
Creating Opportunities for Papuan Entrepreneurs
A larger economic goal drives the redevelopment plan.
Small and medium enterprises have an important role in the economy of Papua, particularly in Indigenous Papuan communities. There are thousands of families in Jayapura and other districts who live off small businesses, such as handicrafts, agriculture, fisheries, and culinary or creative industries.
Provincial officials believe the presence of a dedicated commercial area can help improve product visibility and encourage more people to go into business.
This idea is particularly relevant as Papua looks to broaden economic opportunities beyond government jobs and resource-based industries.
Economic diversification has become a common theme in development discourse in eastern Indonesia, and local entrepreneurship is increasingly viewed as one of the most effective ways to generate sustainable growth at the community level.
Ampera Field Set for a New Chapter
The Sarinah project is about economic activity, but Ampera Field redevelopment is for the sake of the improvement of urban quality of life.
Public spaces often have a neglected role in city development.
They are places where families come together, children play, communities hold events, and people connect outside of workplaces and commercial centers.
Public parks are important elements of urban planning in many cities in Indonesia. They contribute to social cohesion and environmental improvement.
Ampera Field’s redesigning is expected to provide similar advantages to the provincial government of Papua.
More Than Just a Park
This is not just a landscaping project, Fakhiri says of the planned transformation.
Officials envision a multipurpose public space that can accommodate tourism, cultural activities, and community events.
With the growth of Jayapura, the importance of such spaces is growing.
The city, like many regional capitals, faces pressure to balance economic growth with the need for accessible public spaces.
Urban planners like to say that a successful city is not measured just by the roads and buildings. The assessment also considers the quality of spaces accessible to ordinary residents.
The proposed Ampera public park reflects that thinking.
Officials hope to draw residents and visitors alike by mixing areas for recreation and cultural activities.
Tourism and Culture at the Center of Development
The redevelopment plans also form part of a larger drive to boost tourism in Papua.
Papua has been internationally known for decades for its amazing natural landscape, cultural diversity, and unique biodiversity. However, many policymakers believe that urban tourism opportunities remain underdeveloped.
A souvenir center could offer a more structured entry point to Papuan products and cultural experiences for visitors.
Tourists often look for authentic local goods to connect with the places they visit.
The creation of a centralized marketplace with products from various parts of Papua would help increase visitor spending and promote local culture.
In the meantime, the concept of a public park at Ampera Field might be another draw for the urban landscape of Jayapura.
The two projects are an attempt to link economic development and the promotion of culture.
Preserving Identity While Expanding Opportunity
One problem for many developing areas is to ensure that modernization does not weaken cultural identity.
Papua’s leaders often stress the importance of maintaining local traditions while pursuing economic growth.
The souvenir center concept embodies that balance.
The facility is expected to prioritize products made by local communities and entrepreneurs over imports from elsewhere.
In this way the project can be not only a commercial center but also a place to promote Papuan heritage to visitors.
Part of a Broader Development Vision
Since taking office, Governor Fakhiri has repeatedly emphasized the need for development to deliver tangible benefits for local communities.
That is why the Sarinah and Ampera projects are included in that approach, namely by focusing on facilities that directly affect daily life.
Big infrastructure projects can often take years before any visible impact is felt, while commercial centers and public spaces tend to produce social and economic benefits immediately.
Residents can use them, businesses can utilize them, and communities can gather around them.
This practical aspect partly explains why the announcement has aroused interest among local residents.
For many people, development success is not only measured by statistics but also by whether they can see and experience change in their everyday environment.
Looking Ahead
Local business owners and community groups have high expectations, even as they prepare the redevelopment plans.
Successful implementation of the Papua Souvenir Center could provide an important platform for the promotion of local products and to help small businesses reach wider markets.
Meanwhile, Ampera Field’s transformation into a public park could provide Jayapura a new communal space that supports recreation, tourism, and cultural activities.
Both projects share the same goal: to ensure that economic growth and urban development generate visible and accessible opportunities for ordinary residents.
Conclusion
Governor Mathius Fakhiri’s plan goes beyond a physical renovation project; it aims to turn the Sarinah Building into a Papua Souvenir Center and redevelop Ampera Field into a public park.
It is an attempt to put local entrepreneurs, community activities, and cultural identity at the heart of urban development.
As Papua continues its journey of economic growth and modernization, the combination of business opportunities and public space development could increasingly shape the future of Jayapura and expand opportunities for local communities.