Contracts signed for revamp of Limassol centre

THE Limassol Municipality yesterday signed two contracts with two construction companies for the upgrade of the town’s centre.
The project will cost €18 million, 80 per cent of which is covered by EU structural funds and will encompass a total transformation of the town’s historic and commercial area.
“Not a single cent or a single day of work will be lost so that the project is completed within the timeline of 36 months,” said Mayor of Limassol, Andreas Christou.
The historic centre segment upgrade will take place first in the area to the west of Anexartisias street. Due to the centrality of the project’s location, in the busiest and most congested area of Limassol, construction work is expected to create considerable inconvenience to locals.
To minimise public inconvenience, work in the town centre will be performed by two separate companies, in two areas. Each site will not be allowed to have work taking place in more than three fronts of 250m each.
These work fronts will be expanding in stages, while contractors are expected to co-ordinate their work to avoid traffic chaos. The contracts of both companies will be running concurrently.
The first part covers the medieval castle area to the west of Irinis and Koumandarias streets, while the second part spans from the town hall to Anexartisias Street. The project aims to upgrade these areas and promote sustainable development, while maintaining local character.
Traffic decongestion and the effective improvement of service-provision and citizen accommodation in Limassol’s centre are among the project’s stated priorities.
The plans for Limassol’s historic centre were based on an Area Plan, the traffic study conducted by Metsovion University for the placement of TEPAK, as well as on the Limassol master plan. The main aim of the project is the protection and projection of historic and cultural elements, as well as the town’s architectural heritage.
Four new squares will be created at the medieval castle area, Saripolou Street, University Square near the Town Hall, and the B’ Municipal Market square. This will be the most intrusive part of the transformation project, particularly the modifications made at the castle square.
Surrounding streets will be pedestrianised, the square will be cemented and the tents of surrounding cafés removed to offer visitors a clear view of the castle. The plans also encourage the placement of public service providers in underground sites.
As TEPAK’s development is expected to bring growing numbers of students in the city centre, putting additional strains on traffic networks, the project aims to decongest the centre by pedestrianising a number of streets, in a bid to keep cars out. For this purpose, a new square will be created in the centre around the old Post Office building, now operating as TEPAK’s management committee offices. The square will be located between Town Hall and the university library, while a new network of sidewalks will encourage students to conveniently walk between buildings.
In addition to this project, the municipality plans more works at the seafront reclamation area, the Garyllis river and at Patticheion Theatre. The plans for the seafront area (estimated to cost another €18 million) envision the creation of a multi-functional seaside park at the site of the current sea reclamation area.
The area will be revamped through the creation of additional services for visitors, including cafés, bicycle lanes, pedestrian walks and a small theatre for cultural events. In addition, more parking spaces and benches will be created along the seafront strip.
The project also involves the development of a new and improved traffic network, which will encourage walking and the use of public transport, as well as the creation of 600 parking spaces. The town’s public transport network will be significantly improved, while walking will be encouraged through the creation of wider pavements and tile-paved areas.
The transformation of the Garyllis river area into a municipal park will cost €12.5 million and the upgrade of the Patticheion Theatre €5.8 million.

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