$18.5m cheque for new US embassy land

Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech and US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro have finalised the Lm6 million sale of property in Ta' Qali, which will house the new American Embassy, presently situated in Floriana.

Mrs Bordonaro presented Mr Fenech with a cheque for $18.5 million, the equivalent of Lm6 million.

The site is zoned as a commercial and industrial area in the most recent Ta' Qali action plan. It used to house a number of buildings, including the old vote-counting hall, which Maltese contractors have cleared in the past few weeks.

When complete, the embassy will be flanked on one side by a number of companies, including Sign-It and Attard Brothers, and on the other side by a residential area of Attard.

The government said the new embassy will not interfere with the National Park, nor will it impede the public's access to the recreational facilities.

The site will incorporate the chancery and several other buildings including a warehouse and the residence of the small Marine Security Detachment which provides security inside the embassy, as well as a large parking area for staff and visitors.

The Consular Section, in particular, has been designed to ensure privacy and comfort for visa applicants and other patrons.

The government said the embassy property will be landscaped to enhance the natural environment and to reflect both American and Maltese traditions.

The buildings will include many environment-friendly features and will conform to the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

Maltese police and guards will provide security at the new complex as they currently do at the embassy in Floriana.

The government said the US Embassy has applied for the necessary Malta Environment and Planning Authority permits.

Construction of the new embassy building is expected to begin once all the permits have been granted and the US government gives its final approval for the start of the project.

Prior to construction, the embassy will publish on its website requests for bids from local companies to participate in the construction.

The project will inject millions of liri into the Maltese economy, the government added.

Ms Bordonaro expressed her appreciation of the excellent relations that exist between the Maltese and American governments and her gratitude to the Maltese Parliament for its unanimous approval of the sale of land and the construction of the new embassy.

http://malta.usembassy.gov