Newsroom
Business owners and residents in Nicosia's historic centre have rejected the municipality's proposed redevelopment plans, arguing that the project falls well short of what the area requires and calling for a substantially larger investment.
A committee representing shopkeepers, residents and owners of small businesses and properties in the pedestrianised part of the old city said the proposal presented by the municipality's Technical Services Department is unacceptable in its current form. The group argues that the project should transform the historic centre into a more attractive place to live, shop, walk and spend leisure time.
The committee also criticised the project's funding, saying the €10.8 million allocation is far too small for an area of such importance. According to the group, the budget is roughly half the cost of constructing a single municipal parking facility, while significantly larger sums have been committed to projects such as the Archaeological Museum, the Omirou Avenue parking area, Trikoupi Street and Konstantinou Palaiologou Street.
The statement also claims that the municipality intends to leave several streets outside the redevelopment scheme, including roads east of Onasagorou Street and west of Ledra Street. Among the areas they say would be excluded is Hippokratous Street, home to the Leventis Museum.
The committee is calling for specialist planners to prepare the project, a transparent consultation process, a tenfold increase in funding, financial guarantees to compensate affected businesses, permanent financial support measures for shop owners during construction, more urban greenery and clear deadlines for completing the works.
Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos described the objections as premature, saying the project has not yet reached its final stage. He said a series of public consultations will take place before the final tender is issued, allowing residents and business owners to examine the plans, discuss the timetable and present their views.
The mayor said the dates for discussions covering the project's four main themes will be announced in the coming weeks.
Responding to criticism of the project's budget, Prountzos said the €10.8 million allocation is appropriate for work involving building facades and pavements. He added that separate funding has already been set aside by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus and the Nicosia District Local Government Organisation for electricity infrastructure and flood protection works.
