Claudia Calleja
'No mystery' in PM-Piano meeting
There was nothing mysterious about the Prime Minister's planned meeting with Italian architect Renzo Piano, which was only intended to ensure that the Valletta City Gate project was on track, Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
"The meeting will be a normal client-architect meeting to make sure all is done as it should be. There are no secrets," Dr Gonzi said during a Nationalist Party activity in Naxxar.
Dr Gonzi had mentioned the meeting with Mr Piano in-passing during a similar Sunday morning party activity two weeks ago.
He had said he would be meeting Mr Piano to discuss "particular points" of the project, without elaborating.
When contacted for more information about the nature of the meeting, a spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office had said it was best not to divulge the nature of these "particular points" at that stage. This only served to shroud the meeting in mystery.
Yesterday, however, Dr Gonzi laughed off theories about the mysterious nature of the meeting, adding there were "no secrets".
Some people, he joked, had made it sound as though he was meeting Mr Piano to plan a coup.
The City Gate project has always been a source of contention. When Mr Piano first proposed his plans for the area, some 20 years ago, they were rejected following intense controversy mainly surrounding the Royal Opera House.
The heated debate was rekindled last summer when Mr Piano unveiled his new plans for City Gate and the Opera House.
Under the new plans, the new Parliament building will be elevated on "stilts" in Freedom Square, the Opera House site ruins will be transformed into an open-air theatre and City Gate will be demolished to create a more modest and meaningful entrance, while restoring Republic Street as the capital's spine.
Works on the project are expected to start this year once the Malta Environment and Planning Authority gives its go-ahead.
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jmicallef
Feb 9th 2010, 07:53
Been to Valletta yesterday (monday 8th) - and freedom square was basking in the sun, with people chatting over a coffee or a beer.
It's so nice entering our capital city and finding a rare piece of open space.
And all this will be destroyed with these abominal plans!
With all our problems, our PM is wasting time and money on this project, when we cannot even keep Valletta clean.
HENRY GALEA SOUCHET
Feb 9th 2010, 07:44
Stop the horrid stupor ! ... before the first stone is moved .... those of you with good intentions are still in good enough time to apply your pressure. Save our CITY !
J Farrugia
Feb 9th 2010, 07:33
Patriots? What Patriots? They were just in the line of fire. They were protesting so whhere is the patriotism in protesting? They were just a t the wrong place in the wrong time at the wrong day. Nothing less.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Feb 9th 2010, 02:25
Once upon a time there was a business man who asked a well known Architect to design a gate for his stately house . After a few days he called on the Architect to see what he had produced , only to find that he had done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING !
The clever Architect explained , that after much thinking he had concluded that he need'nt a gate at all , as the house would be appreciated better from the street beyond , and certainly this was the most "transparent" inspiration he ever had , actually unique !
Knowing this persons' repute , the client immediately accepted the idea and instantly asked to pay his dues , paid him ..........and they lived happily ever after !
gxuereb
Feb 8th 2010, 16:55
A Parliament on stilts!! ..... and to top it all a baroque monument (the Sette Giugno 1919 monument stolen from St.George's Square) placed next to this house on stilts! No way! During his forthcoming meeting the PM should ask Piano for his opinion about placing this patriots' monument next to his ultra-modern building...something like the 'LOVE' monument at Spinola Bay, St.Julian's would be more appropriate. Return the Sette Giugno Monument to its rightful place (The Palace Square)!
vincent a galea
Feb 8th 2010, 16:14
To me the MYSTERY is why the PM and the CABINET are insisting on these plans when 90% of the people do not want them!!
WHAT IS THE SECRET??!!
victor pulis
Feb 8th 2010, 14:55
Looking at the picture I become more convinced that the proposed non city gate will be horrible once it is 'built'. it is totally alien to the rest of Valletta. itresemblesa stone quarry one finds at Mqabba. Poor Laparelli how he's doing somersaults and head stands in his grave.