Fort St Elmo to be rehabilitated - to be used for public events, cruise line berthing

Joe Cassar

Feb 19th 2009, 08:06

This is the same Government which has, for decades, been promising the refurbishment of the Ta' Qali Crafts Villgae - only to end up abandoning the project. The re-development of the Dock 1 area is also, despite years of promises still in the pre-pre-pre-planning stage.

Now these are both minor projecst when compared to the one proposed above.

So we may be forgiven if we take this with more than a pinch of salt.

A Pace Gouder

Feb 19th 2009, 03:06

The INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTER must have a soft spot for OUR CAPITAL VALLETTA. In the last few weeks we have been heaing him launching new PROJECTS for the CITY. He and the PRIME MINISTER started with the LIGHTNING NEWS of re-activating THE CITY GATE & OPERA HOUSE SITE PROJECT choosing without notice, in an arrogant way ,Renzo Piano . That was number ONE . For some time the LIMELIGHT was on theCathedral Museum project ,in which he kept a low profile . In a short span of time we have had ;-
a) The Breakwater Bridge
b) St. Georges Square underground Parking .
and now c ) Fort St. Elmo Re-hab. with :- i) A Re-routed ROAD
ii) A LIGHTHOUSE
iii) A CULTURAL CENTRE
iv) QUAYS for Cruise Liners
v) CRUISE PASSENGER TERMINAL (?)
vi) HOTEL (Sic) on Evans Lab. site. Added to these we may have a BREAKWATER and a PROMENADE from MCC to the Valletta Waterfront .
NOTICE that nearly all are DUPLICATING FACILITIES that already E X I S T . !!!!!!!!!!! CRAZY !
Same with the Road at GHADIRA .
What about the Projects in COTTONERA ? and others PROMISED .
WESHALL WAIT FOR NEXT WEEK .

George Casha

Feb 19th 2009, 00:34

After 20 years in Government, you were not even capable of giving us decent roads and pavements, rebuild the Opera House site/City Gate, Ta’Qali Crafts Village and so many many other broken promises.

Do you actually expect the people to take you seriously any longer? Tliftu il-boxxla ta kollox !

Vincent Pace

Feb 17th 2009, 21:47

Minister, in one year you have not delivered ONE, not ONE decent road, the holes get bigger and deeper, and the buses, Shall we talk about the buses.?? Under your ministry and those useless lot the ADT we have seen more toxic fumes being emitted by the buses than ever, probably killing us slowly. Perhaps we should put health warnings on the buses. Worse for us than fags, that's for sure. And you had the gall to compare yourself with Mugliett. He might not have been VERY fast, but at least he moved in the right direction, steady and consistent. And ADT's restructuring. What a joke. Call it ''dismantling''. We have not seen anything of substance in any of their divisions. Queues galore at Licences, a roads disaster story and a lot of over-paid executives. And that, folks is only the beginning.

L..Galea

Feb 17th 2009, 21:44

Corinne Vella
The building will at least stand where it stood previously was while the pictures would give an idea to visitors what it originally looked like.

P.Schembri
How did you guess?

L Aquilina

Feb 17th 2009, 20:01

P Schembri... just for info. This project was announed a year ago. Possibly MITC may still have a few copies of the M'Xetto Harbour Regeneration Plans. Check it out.

P.Schembri

Feb 17th 2009, 19:02

I think an election is coming!!! 6 projects in 2 months!!! By PN standards it's a record!

Raymond Sammut

Feb 17th 2009, 18:36

@ L..Galea

I have a picture of the interior. It looks macabre, but wickedly interesting.

Corinne Vella

Feb 17th 2009, 18:08

L. Galea: Pictures can be located anywhere. In fact, there are several in existing publications. How could the spirit of the original chapel be resurrected through pictures?

L..Galea

Feb 17th 2009, 17:45

Corinne Vella
Rebuilt the building and hang pictures of how it used to be.

A Abela

Feb 17th 2009, 17:27

We want back the Chapel of Bones otherwise the project shouldn't be done.

Corinne Vella

Feb 17th 2009, 17:18

L. Galea: "Will the Chapel of Bones be rebuilt?" I sincerely hope not. Who on earth would donate the necessary bones?

philip pace

Feb 17th 2009, 16:59

Another bright and positive idea.
But when shall it start?
From where is the Governemnt going to find the funds for it?
IF the funds come from the public would the area be then declared as a public area?
Wouldn't it be better if instead organising a whole project, repairs and sensible refurbishment on St.Elmo to start IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT ANY DELAY and then concentrate on the periphery!

Any answers?

Simon Camilleri

Feb 17th 2009, 16:32

The Royal Navy never berthed anything larger than a destroyer in Marsamxett and I've never seen large ships in that harbour. Is Marsamxett wide and deep enough to allow cruise liners to manouver? I seriously doubt it.

J Busuttil

Feb 17th 2009, 16:24

Dear Minister Gatt have you got the go ahead of FAA the new Administrators of our country because if not hell will be let loose.

g.c.Forte

Feb 17th 2009, 16:21

Dear Minister Austin Gatt.. I have lived in that area(St. Joseph str)and spent my youth as a young soldier in St.Elmo. I think that in my humble opinion you are either having nice dreams about this project or you are trying to divert,the public opinion,let say....from the project of "ta Qali crafts village" Personally I wish that your dreams comes true, because when I see the state that lower St. Elmo has been left by both political parties being in government, I must say shame. I remember very well lower St. Elmo ( where the film " Midnight Express" was shot) was so cultivated. We use to make parades, practice all kind of sports, learning unarmed combat and lot of other things. So, Minister stop dreaming and get started...Do not forget that the problem of ta Qali crafts village is still pending. Any way good luck.

laurence schembri

Feb 17th 2009, 16:19

As much as I would like to see the Capital to get back the glory it deserves, this is another "pie in the sky". Another reverie from the Minister.

Julian Caruana

Feb 17th 2009, 15:43

Dear Mrs Lisa Galea.

Valletta belongs to us all, it is our capital. it is one of the most beautifull capitals in Europe and it is crying out loud for these kind of projects.

Jean Pierre Borg

Feb 17th 2009, 15:14

The regeneration of the whole St Elmo area is surely a priority however while the Valletta ring road is being re-routed to uncover the granaries, the Chapel of Bones' foundations are clearly seen covered under the proposed hotel....

So yes... I really hope the FAA, the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee and other interested parties do scrutinize the technical details of this project.

BRIAN MURPHY

Feb 17th 2009, 15:03

A very exciting project - I must say so sorry though for the huge EVANS laboratory to make way for a hotel !! However, the infrastructure is improving on these Islands !



Brian Murphy

Lisa Galea

Feb 17th 2009, 14:57

Why are all these projects only in Valletta??? Does the rest of the island not exsist. For those who will answer the rhethoric of 'because it will been the European capital city of culture' Yeah right or it is also good advertising for certain electoral candidates to show to their constiuents. It is known fact that those who do not have ministers living in their area, have none of these great projects going on.

Anthony Gatt

Feb 17th 2009, 14:52

Rerouted?? Rerouted from where?? I've been pondering over this question for the past 20 minutes. Honestly?

An overpass is out of the question because this would look terrible. A tunnel could cause even more damage to the several architectural gems in the vicinity.

So I ask once again: "Rerouted" from where? Nice idea minister, to remove a horrible ring road... But what does it mean in real terms?

A.Gauci Cunningham

Feb 17th 2009, 14:47

This project is indeed a very good step forward for both Valletta and our Harbour as it would boost the activities there!! Unlike the now defunct sham next to St.John's I think that this project should be backed by everybody and hopefully the unecessary bureaucracy overcome!! Our harbour needs a boost really badly and initiatives like this greatly help our product at a time when tourism is facing bleak months ahead!

Anthony Briffa

Feb 17th 2009, 14:40

Well done. Something will be moving as regards Fort St. Elmo and its environs at long last. Will this regeneration also see the removal of the illegal shacks beneath the MCC? That shanty town is quite an eyesore at the entrance of the Grand Harbour.

lara falzon

Feb 17th 2009, 14:33

Three cruise liner terminals (one at the water front, one below Senglea and one below fort St. Elmo) in such a small area? Isn't that a bit over the top?

Oscar Cassar

Feb 17th 2009, 14:27

I hope that the project will get started without controversy and that there will be a multistory car park in the area that can be used during cultural activities. It is already a great problem to find adequate parking in the area for example when events are held at the MCC and on regular bases a lot of those attending such events end with a contravention tickets.

D.MANGION

Feb 17th 2009, 14:23

First of all, a tap on the shoulder of Minister Austin Gatt for at least trying to implement what GonziPN had promised during the heart of the last electoral campaign.

At least he has the guts to do something.

Austin may not be a king of diplomacy but he is definitely a hard worker. He may not be my
favourite chap, but he does get things going.

Let's just hope that this time he doesn't provide us with definite plans and a fait accomplie attitude. By subjecting the plans to public scrutiny, ,things can only get better and obtain the fine tuning that is needed. Yes a time limit is needed, following which works should start immediately . Funds from Europe are most wolcome.

A much much better idea than that of the Ghadira ring road.
So...dear Dr. Gatt, forget about Ghadira and stick to your beloved Valletta. It is in much more dire need of care. At present The City looks very much like a girl without make-up. Go-ahead...be its beautician !

Raymond Sammut

Feb 17th 2009, 14:16

Sounds good. Really good. Thank you minister Gatt. Keep up the good work, sir.

St Elmo is of great significance. Many good men and women died there for the freedoms we take for granted to-day. St Elmo is truly the "pentagon" of freedom. It should therefore be dedicated to ordinary people who should be free to visit, spend a lot of time there, feel and enjoy history.

Please keep St Elmo an open space place as much as possible, free of cars, clean and quiet. More karozzini (with adequate shelter for the animals and their drivers), more people walking, and people sitting around relaxing and enjoying.

Good luck minister Gatt. I hope the funds will be forthcoming, lots of people will participate and contribute positively, and that you will succeed in this project.

J Farrugia

Feb 17th 2009, 14:15

@ Mr L Galea - have you conveniently forgotten that it was the Nationalist Party and Austin Gatt who prior to last year's general election had come out wiht the holistic plan of revitilising valletta ..? and have you forgotten that Alfred Sant tride hard to ridicule Austin Gatt's plans saying that those were a child's drawings of cut and paste...? And now to have the cheek of giving merit to Jimmy Magro... for what??? for riding on the Nationalist's Government's plans for the regeneration of Valletta and its ports... is too much to bear. Give credit where it is due.

julian caruana

Feb 17th 2009, 14:09

I hope this project does not turn into a political ping pong with people playing gallarija and a few that feel can dictate to us mortals what we wish for our island.

This sounds really positive and the goverments seems to be doing what all countries are doing to boost their local economy that is invest in infrastructure. Like that you keep employment up and the big wheel of life turning.

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One Question.

Is the lighthouse the original one? , I mean is it the original stone work or replica will be constructed..

john borg

Feb 17th 2009, 14:01

Sor are these Austin Gatt's priorities? What about roads which effect all the people of these islands? Gonzipn has been promising for the past three years the rebuilding of just one single road, the Marsascala Bypass? Since the last election no new road works have been started and it is realiably known that under Austin Gatt all the new planned road have been shelfed! What a shame for Gonzipn.

v.pulis

Feb 17th 2009, 13:54

According to the minister "Under the new plans, the ring road will be re-routed."
Will that part of the bastions which was demolished in the process of building this road be restored?

R Vassallo

Feb 17th 2009, 13:52

Hold your breath everyone so the FAA can tell us what they think of this project and act like they have any sort of mandate!

Chris Finch

Feb 17th 2009, 13:51

Once again a few businesses will benefit from the cruise liner investment at the cost of other tourist businesses. In the Marsamxett side there is the historic wreck of HMS Maori, this is an attraction to thousands of diving tourists every year. So now Austin Gatt has decided to make the diving proposition less attractive to diving tourists at a time when we should be making it more attractive.
As it stands we are due to lose the following dive sites: The wreck of the X131 (Carolita barge) Anchor bay, and now the Maori. Soon all we will have is artificial sites. Divers like real historic wrecks.
I agree that the area should be redeveloped, but is another cruise liner terminal really necessary at the expense of others?

L..Galea

Feb 17th 2009, 13:39

Congratulations to Jimmy Magro and all those who pushed the government into at least saying that it is going to do something.

Now some questions.

Will the Chapel of bones be built again?

Considering that the Evans Laboratories is a public place on PUBLIC land, will the Hotel be PUBLIC or PRIVATE?

If private, will the land be transferred permanently or on a temporary basis?