Michael Bonnici, Zebbug
Main Guard for Parliament
May I suggest that the building opposite the President's Palace in Valletta, known as the Main Guard, should house the Parliament building.
Though there may be some difficulties in re-locating the restaurant and the Italian Cultural Institute, I presume that the government will have the ways and means to overcome this hurdle.
The back of this building is partly on Strait Street where vacant building could be acquired for additional space.
The proposed underground parking planned under the square will be one big holistic project that would have the consensus of everyone.
Please do not put Parliament in a former opera house - the saying is too rough to pronounce in the press.
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Gabriel Cassar Torregiani
Dec 28th 2008, 14:32
@igalea....and instead of referring to Parliament as 'L-Oghla istituzzjoni tal-Pajjiz,' we can simply refer to it as 'Lola's Institution.'
charles v schembri
Dec 28th 2008, 10:25
One big issue that has been debated since when I was a toddler. But not just Malta. All remember the rehabilitation of the Genoa port by this same Piano - the intense debates and controversies. I still believe that the ex-Opera Hse site should still carry connotations with arts. A matter of finances.
Some reasoning pro the Main Guard as HOR. The site carries British connections. Britain -from where the Maltese acquired their early concept (late 19th century) of parliamentary representation. Is the site adequate? Who am I to determine? All I ask is for the Decision-Maker, the PM and him alone, to leave no stone unturned. His final decision SHOULD NOT BE DISPUTED FURTHER. Father Peter was 100% right when he said that finally only the PM should bear the responsibility for a decision and irrespective whether one agrees with it all not.
Some people are asking for a wide consultation. All could discuss the concept but certainly not the detail. The designs we leave to Piano with the briefest of TOR. One does not discuss the designs of a Ferragamo et al ties. You just have trust in them and you buy it.
lgalea
Dec 27th 2008, 21:10
Gabriel Cassar Torregiani
A good suggestion for a fitting entrance to rehab the street it to its original purpose. This time the actions usually attributed to have happened in this street being exercised by our Parliamentarians on the Maltese people as we constantly keep witnessing.
Charles Camilleri
Dec 27th 2008, 19:28
This idea of moving Parliament to the Main Guard opposite the President's Palace has also been put forward by the late Dr. Jimmy Farrugia when he was speaker of the House. But at that time nobody heeded his proposal
Gabriel Cassar Torregiani
Dec 27th 2008, 19:07
I agree with Michael Bonnici that Parliament should be re-located opposite. I further suggest that the entrance should be through Strait Street.
G Borg
Dec 27th 2008, 15:41
Just a couple of thoughts...
(1) Will the show-offs by our MPs and security around them (at the new proposed parliament replacing the old opera house) be contradictory to the spirit of the city entrance built for genteleman?
(2) For security purposes will there be a time when the public is forced to enter Valletta exclusevely from Merchants Street? Will the adjoining streets be cordone off?
Gerard Cassar
Dec 27th 2008, 14:50
The Main Guard was also mentioned as a possible site for Parliament by none other than Dr. E Fenech Adami, now President.
m psaila
Dec 27th 2008, 12:48
Lately i was reading Herbert Ganado's book 'Jien inhobb nitkellem maghkom'. It is a compilation of articles written by the late Dr Ganado nearly 60 years ago.
In 1957 he wrote an article about the Old Opera House site wherein he had proposed that instead of the theatre there should be the law courts. Then he wrote anothe article wherein he imagined life in 2000 and said the by then the Old Opera House would still be in ruins.
He was right! This country has been discussing this issue for 6o whole years. Now that this Government has decided to take the bull by its horns and committed itself that in the next 5 years both the Old Opera site and City gate have to be built from scratch, we are still arguing and bickering about it.
My appeal to Government is to get on with the job; what is being proposed will give an injection of life to the cultural and touristic aspect of our Capital City which in 2018 will be the European Cultural City.
We are already 60 years late!
A.J. Anastasi
Dec 27th 2008, 12:35
I agree with the suggestion of Mr. Bonnici, but I do not think I am qualified enough to pass judgement on what decisions the experts will take.
I have contributed on this blog some weeks ago and have hinted that if the experts think that the Main Guard Building in St. George's Square is the ideal site, then be it.
This is part of the copy of my contribution posted some weeks ago:
"Why do we have to oppose everything?
"I admit I am no expert, and therefore I shall accept any decision taken by the experts. I have complete faith in Renzo Piano and Richard England, who I trust are world famous in their fields.
Many are suggesting that our parliament should not be sited at the old opera house, maybe, but I am certain that the experts will come to a favourable decision and if they deem fit that this site is not suitable, they may perhaps choose the “Main Guard Building” in St. George’s Square as the new Houses of Parliament!
Who knows?"
AJA.
../..
T. Grima
Dec 27th 2008, 11:59
I think that Mr Michael Bonnici's idea makes sense.
If the space inside the Main Guard building permits for all the needs required, this edifice may well be considered for the future location of the Maltese Parliament. Furthermore, it is in a central location in Valletta and very close to the President's Palace.