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A New Path

        In 1996, stepping down from its past splendor Fuxing Silo served its purposes, and was shut down for business. Resulting from wear and tear and the aftermath of the 921 earthquake the structures of the Silo were partly cracked, its walls caved in and dormer windows faced serious water leakage problems. Authority of Fuxing Township Farmers’ Association at the time planned to have the old silo demolished and rebuilt it for other purposes.  However, under relentless negotiating of the Changhua County Government the Farmers' Association finally agreed to handover the Silo to the Cultural Affairs Bureau and restore it as a historical building. The Changhua County Government evaluated Fuxing Silo as an important cultural heritage and a building of great historical significance to the local culture. Therefore, on June 10, 2003 Fuxing Silo was granted the status of a historical building.  With the 40 million NTD restoration subsidy granted by the 921Earthquake Post-Disaster Recover Commission of the Executive Yuan, Fuxing Silo began its restoration construction on August 22, 2004 under the supervision of the Council of Cultural Affairs who entrusted the project to Joe Shih Architect Firm. After careful research, design and constructing the Silo was finally completed in May, 2005.
 

Early Fuxing Silo

        In, 2003 the Department of Commerce of Ministry of Economic Affairs was looking for five free space locations to act as demonstration spots for the Promotional plan on local industry exchange center. With the help of Changhua County Government Fuxing Silo was granted 100 million NTD in subsidy by the Ministry of Economic Affairs to restore its structures. The project was entrusted to the Hsueh-neng Chuang Architect Firm. The construction took place in 2004 from February 16 to September 24. The completed silo which included multifunctional spaces such as restaurants, offices, and exhibition rooms became the Changhua County Local Industry Exchange Center and won its architect Mr. Wen-chieh Chiou the Taiwan Architecture Award.
        Every brick and every plank of Fuxing Silo carried the memories of the locals. It is also a mark of the splendor of Changhua Plain. The restored silo is not merely a vessel which passes down our cultural heritage; it is a building which marked an incorporation of modern living style and historical significance. The once idle space has once again regained its value and became a living historical building. Through this building of time People can learn the wisdom of their ancestors through its architecture and machineries. The sight of the old silo with its modern art exhibits became a beautiful picture interlacing something of the past and present.

[References]
Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau, Guide to Fuxing Silo, 2008.
[Photos]
Mr. Tsang-lung Tsai