Fiona Galea Debono
Balluta residents get first glimpse of proposed car park
The proposal for the Balluta car park has finally surfaced, revealing a cylindrical, underground, automatic structure that has the ground opening up to swallow vehicles into the square's belly.
St Julians mayor Peter Bonello said yesterday the nine-level hole would be confined to the top part of the square, which would remain intact once the work was complete and its paved area increased by 20 per cent.
The controversial and mysterious Balluta car park development raised disapproval and a call to preserve the popular lung in the heart of the locality by residents, environment NGOs and political parties.
The controversy stemmed from suspicions that the application to turn a public convenience across the square into an electric bus station, for which the tender is at an advanced stage, could be the first phase of its disruption.
But Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has since confirmed the government had no plans for the underground car park. The project has been considered unfeasible, with any excavation destabilising the square, according to residents and NGOs.
But for the local council, which approved the car park proposal, it is the most "doable" of three earmarked sites, even though it still has not quantified the investment.
Funding has been secured from the €2.8 million of Mepa's Committed Payment Parking Scheme.
It was also considering setting up a public-private fund in agreement with Mepa for the restoration of the Balluta Buildings.
Architect Stephen Farrugia, whose company was commissioned by the council, denied any intention to reduce the garden space. He said 90 per cent of it would remain intact and the five uprooted trees would be reinstated while the affected 10 per cent would touch paving laid about four years ago, with no historical relevance.
The proposed automated parking system, popular in Italy, would have a footprint of 314 square metres as opposed to the 3,070 of a conventional car park on the surface for the same amount of cars, an option that had always been considered a non-starter. The car park would cater for just over 100 cars but even five more parking spaces would make a difference, he said.
The council was also planning a car park next to the primary school in Anġlu Mikiel Borg Street. Last week, it applied for the devolution of government land for a €13 million public-private partnership that would incorporate a home for the elderly and new council offices.
Mr Bonello warned that if the car park did not materialise, it would prove harder to have residents' parking as this was linked to the provision of parking spaces for visitors.
He continued to insist no application would be submitted prior to public consultation. The first meeting for residents has been scheduled for Friday at 6.30 p.m. at Le Meridien Hotel, in St Julians.
13 Comments
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laura vassallo
Nov 26th 2009, 19:42
If The Meridien Hotel can accomodate around 500 cars,I may be mistaken on this fact, Why does our mayor not come into an agreement for the local council to subsidise parking for residents at this establishment. This of course if the problem of residents parking is the real issue! I have my serious doubts. Also alternative sites are abundant, a very unsightly spot just beneath the Regional road bridge on B'Kara rd is just one of them! People don't let go...
D Delia
Nov 26th 2009, 07:44
Where did the money from the project come from?
JulianBorg
Nov 25th 2009, 22:52
One very important point regarding the Balluta Square developement is this. How many sites in St. Julian's were short listed as possinle car parks ? Can the St. Julian's local council name these sites. How on earth did they pick on a tiny square overlooking the bay. Has the site at the former Tigulio in Spinola been cosidered? The Le Meridein car park, at the back of the Hotel ( entrance , up the hill behind the derelict Balluta Hotel) has space for 500 cars. It's a public car park and you pay just like any other car park. I have always found a space, I know because I use it regularly. It's a stone throw away from Balluta Square and visitors should have no difficulty in finding a place to park. Why can't we walk a short distance if it need be ? After all, let's face it , our biggest problem is obesity, not parking.
Julian Borg.
lgalea
Nov 25th 2009, 21:23
It's about time to do away with local councils. They have only caused havoc to the local citizens, are milking millions from the citizens with their mad parking schemes, and the perception is that corruption has not only increased but has also gone down to lower levels in the chain.
George Debono
Nov 25th 2009, 19:34
No, seriously..........
Somebody stands to make a heap of money out of this - so there's no stopping it.
Amen
G
George Debono
Nov 25th 2009, 19:32
This car park sounds real fun !
Imagine the sheer undiluted joy of relaxing with a cold drink on the Balluta square while inhaling the fragrant fumes from the car park beneath !
OOOH...............Can't wait !! Please start digging as soon as possible dear council !
G
ALEXANDER PACE GOUDER
Nov 25th 2009, 15:47
If this photo of this car park was handed to the Times by The St.Julians Local Council this is "THE JOKE OF THE DAY" Unless we all start crying. Can such things stillbe presented during a Press Conference. It is in the middle of a city and is with buildingson all sides. Our square is almost on sea level and is a Unique Open Space Square in St.Julians. Can the council tell us what hight from Sea Level is the Car Park in the photo?Many of St.Julians Balluta Residents know how the Car Park is proposed as we have seen the plans presentedat MEPA on 10th March 2009 Ref: Prp01/2009. Car park is in the exect shape and size of the whole square. We now await the Consultation meeting on Friday for real truth about this Car Park. United we stand to save Balluta Square the Only Open Space in BALLUTA>
Eric Soames
Nov 25th 2009, 15:32
The loss of even 10 percent of the space would be an unnecessary waste. The upheaval during construction, the disturbance underground, the increased traffic and lines of cars honking away would be the death knell for this little corner of tranquility. How puerile of the mayor to hold the non-materializing of residents' parking over their heads. Pack it in, pack up and push off, sir.
P.Cassar
Nov 25th 2009, 14:16
MADNESS
The Local Council should never be allowed to do such a rape of a square. Put a good picture of the present square alongside this propsed farse and see the difference. The one proposed does NOT even look good as a arist impression let alone in reality.
JOANNE PACE
Nov 25th 2009, 14:10
HOW UGLY !!!! TO TRANSFORM SUCH A NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL SQUARE INTO SUCH UNACCEPTABLE BAD TASTE..LEAVE BALLUTA SQUARE ALONE, AND MAY THE MAYOR RESIGN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Anna Farrugia
Nov 25th 2009, 13:39
Why is there an Italian example of the car park - this is not Italy!!!! This is not a spot among city streets - it is a precious breathing spot along the seafront location with a very beautiful valley right behind it. We put car registration tax sky high to discourage traffic on the road when all we are doing is encouraging older cars to stay on the road, we give apartment block permits without sufficient parking and we allow rotten old buses on the road which are killing out children with fumes .... Do not try to appease us with the restoration of Balluta Buildings - the area is ruined anyway with present permits. Wake up!! No one is being fooled!
C Cassar
Nov 25th 2009, 12:49
Nice idea and I have seen these automated car parks in other European cities. Unfortunately, they are high-tech and need regular high-tech maintenance. The philospohy of maintenance doesn't seem to exist in Malta, so it would quickly turn into a disfunctional eyesore.
S Keyes
Nov 25th 2009, 12:44
I think if they concentrated on getting the bus network up to a suitable standard then the need for cars would drastically reduce. I wouldn't use my car for the majority of journeys I do if it was possible by public transport.