AN wants to reinvent Valletta

Azzjoni Nazzjonali yesterday launched 34 proposals for Valletta, which would see an overhaul of the capital city, including Parliament to Boffa Hospital and turning the President's Palace into a national museum. AN deputy leader Anġlu Xuereb's masterplan, which he first presented 19 years ago and has elaborated on since, would also see government departments and some ministries moving to Beltissebħ into more modern, practical buildings and close to each other for practical purposes.

The masterplan involves around four multi-storey underground car parks to ease the number of vehicles in the city and the unsightly bus terminus would also move underground, freeing up the square for cafeterias and paving.

Parliament should move into Boffa Hospital because it had escape routes in case of a riot, was close to Castille, and would be close to the ministries, Mr Xuereb said.

Speaking about the "shameful" Freedom Square, he said the Opera House should be rebuilt exactly as it was on the outside - an operation that could take around five years. But the artisanship involved would serve as a tourist attraction, he suggested.

AN has not yet identified its use but knows it would be a multi-purpose building, depending on the needs of the time, and that the floors below ground level would have a commercial use. A statue of La Vallette, which did not exist anywhere in Valletta, would be placed in the centre, and City Gate had to be torn down as soon as possible and rebuilt by Maltese architects, Mr Xuereb said, adding that "we do not need foreigners".

Underground car parks, in some cases up to 10 storeys deep, would be built in St George's Square, the area in front of the majestic President's Palace, and beneath the Floriana football pitch, the first underground floor of which would house an indoor sports area that was lacking in the capital.

Fort St Elmo should be developed into an area of cultural activities and the government should receive proposals for its use. Carnival floats should move to Blata l-Bajda near the park and ride area, Mr Xuereb proposed.

In a bid to upgrade and spread commercial activity into the lower part of Valletta, Mr Xuereb said the exams centre should be turned into luxurious offices and Evans Building should be demolished to build a luxurious hotel. Valletta too should have a waterfront at Marsamxett, he said, and a new berthing quay for cruise liners at Barriera Wharf. The masterplan also incorporated a transport system.