'Classic Taupe' wins Tiong Bahru residents' hearts with 40% of popular vote in 4-cornered fight

A majority of Boon Tiong residents have voted for their blocks to be painted a "classic taupe" colour.

The choice was made after residents went to the polls to vote on the new colour scheme, choosing between four options – lightened purple gradient, classic purple, classic yellow and classic taupe (greyish-brown colour).

The poll was conducted as some residents weren't consulted about the makeover, and they were unhappy about the shades of purple painted on parts of Block 9A earlier in May.

569 valid votes were collected after a three-day polling exercise from May 26 to May 28.

The outcome was announced on the Boon Tiong Residents' Network's (RN) Facebook page on May 30.

The "classic taupe" colour had the highest number of votes at 40 per cent, while the lightened purple gradient option was the least popular, with 13 per cent of votes.

Background

Some Boon Tiong residents were taken aback by the dark purple paint on Block 9A earlier in May.

Newly-appointed Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Foo Cexiang responded to the matter by hearing from residents directly at townhall meetings on May 16 and May 17, before following up with a poll.

Foo also explained why and how the initial purple colour was chosen.

The idea came from a discussion between former Tanjong Pagar MP Indranee Rajah, residents and architects. The purple colour was chosen to reflect the rows of bougainvillea flowers planted along Boon Tiong Road.

“The purple colour scheme was not one that was selected without thought or heart,” Foo said, according to The Straits Times.

With the voting results published and acknowledged, the town council will work with the contractor on the implementation, Boon Tiong RN said on their Facebook post.

Top image by Amber Tay and Boon Tiong RN/Facebook