Freedom Square to be closed off for City Gate works on April 1
Freedom Square will be closed to the public on April 1 for the commencement of work on the City Gate project, Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi said today.
He said that as a result, talks on the relocation of shops in the affected area - including the opera house ruins - have to be completed within days so that the properties may be vacated by March 27.
Dr Azzopardi said the talks were making good progress - with the government offering alternative premises at the City Gate shopping complex (above Burger King) and in governemnt properties in Merchants, Melita and Old Bakery Streets.
Some of the current tenants, however, were considering financial compensation.
Dr Azzopardi said the shops below St James Cavalier would be the first to be demolished as the project works picked up.
The parliamentary secretary made his comments in reply to questions during a press conference to review the work of his office in the second year of the legislature.
He said the past year had been a record one for law enforcement, with his office coordinating 424 enforcement actions, which ranged from encroachment by restaurants onto pavements, to the eviction of squatters in public properties.
Such actions, he said, would continue, and he welcomed public cooperation in the reporting of abuse. A freephone service introduced last year has so far attracted 1,400 reports from the public.
Dr Azzopardi said the government had over the past year paid €100 million in compensation to the owners of expropriated properties, but another €50 million remain due.
He also pointed to increased efficiency at the Lands Department, where a project to digitise all records was launched a few weeks ago.
73 Comments
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Mario Mercieca
Mar 13th 2010, 19:48
Ghax ma ghidtux prosit lil min bena dawk il-flats, jew lil min ghamel bieb il-belt kif inhu illum...Ara veru qatta ghajjurin ghal progetti ta fejda li jaghmel il-gvern u mhux ta b`xejn ilkom kwazi hamsa u ghoxrin sena fl-oppozizzjoni. Dr Gonzi m`hemmx ghalfejn nghidlek jien imma spicca dan il-progett li jixraq lil poplu.
claire spiteri
Mar 13th 2010, 19:35
Shocking. Disgraceful. Roll on elections.
G Darmanin
Mar 12th 2010, 22:12
@Laiviera
Yes its' democracy, the government was elected to govern, even if by a mere 1000.
Mike Magri
Mar 12th 2010, 17:17
Dear ALL....To take `a` decision, one does not need to be some kind of a Genius etc.., as some could be FATAL too... For any kind of a decision to be successful on its implimentation, it ONLY needs to be Thoroughly and Honestly discussed between ALL those concerned.. Listen truly to what the experts involved have to say... BUT most importantly, it MUST be taken WITHOUT ANY hidden personal agendas, any misty clouds surrounding it or any strings attached... !!!
In this Piano`s case for our beloved City of Valletta, the VAST Majority of the Maltese people, DO NOT AGREE with what is being proposed, AN WE ALL KNOW THIS... So WHY are we acting like Ostriches, burrying our heads in the sand and going ahead with this UNPOPULARLY and PROFESSIONALY REJECTED Project....!!!???!!!
I am more than sure, that if we STUBORNLY go ahead with the project as is, our children and children`s children will rightfully so, MALEDICT us (JISHTUNA bill-malti).... As WHO wants to inherit a `tennis court ` like theatre.. An Eysore of a Parlament upon entering Valletta and a Huge Tenure in the City`s Bastions as its main entrance....!!!
Dawn huma flus MIT-TAXXI TAL-POPLU......!! TKUNUX SUPPERVI..... !!
Anthony Pace Gouder
Mar 12th 2010, 15:42
Don't forget this project has to be finished and inaugurated IN THREE YEARS TIME ! Does it ring a bell ?
Probably that's the reason we're having no gate , a useless make-shift roofless theatre , no traffic access road , a project first of its kind in mediocrity and so disorganized , in maltese defined as a KAWLATA ......... kawlatorum !
A Zammit
Mar 12th 2010, 15:16
Yes Mr j Xuereb, we must not grumble, we must continue to have our head in the sand and let all things go. We should continue to live in the blue bubble and brainwash our minds that everything is going fine!
N. Calleja
Mar 12th 2010, 14:31
Smajt li l-bini ta' l-ghassa tal-pulizija tal-belt ser titwaqqa ukoll? Hadu hsieb isibu post dicenti fejn ser issir l-ghassa l-gdida u mhux kif isir is-soltu li nhallu ghall ahhar u wara nsibu xi rokna li ma tkunx taqdi l-htigijiet tac-cittadin. Hemm xi hadd li jaf fejn ser tigi l-ghassa l-gdida jew hemm xi proposti ta' fejn ser isir dan il-bini. Ahna l-Beltin ghandna dritt inkunu nafu certu dettalji u mhux ta' l-ghassa biss. Bhala proposta tieghi tkun li taghmel parti mill-binja tal-parlament il-gdid.
Andrew Paris
Mar 12th 2010, 14:22
Eye sore now and eye sore in the future.
Stephen Baldacchino
Mar 12th 2010, 12:31
CAn the Authorities tell me were we the RESIDENTS of city gate are going to start parking to go home pleaaaaaaase.
Robert Mifsud
Mar 12th 2010, 12:28
Mentalita Maltija: Halli kollox kif inhuwa. Ma hemmx bzonn ta inovazzjoni. Ejja nibnu t-teatru kif kien qabel avolja huwa zghir hafna. Ejja inhalli il parlament fejn qieghed ma ghandiex bzonn iehor.
Mhux ahjar jicaqlaq min hemm il parlament? Issa billi qeghdin f'wirt storiku? Mhux ahjar ikun miftuh dejjem at turisti?
Il mentalita maltija ija mentalita vera antikwata u bla ebda progressivita. Tintilef isaqsi domandi inutli, illi frankament jekk jigi risposti n-nies jibqaw fejn huma ghax ma jkunux vera iridu jisimu.
GHax il gvern ma jaghmel xejn ingorru u ghax qieghed jaghmel xi haga ingorru ukoll. Taghmel x'taghmel mal-maltin dejjem taqlahha.
jtonna
Mar 12th 2010, 09:31
The PN wants to destroy everything that was made by Labour.
Witness the 7 June 1919 monument.
Witness the destruction of freedom square because the PN NEVER believed in freedom.
We will be presented with a city gate of a fortified city without a gate, a roofless theatre and a parliament on stilts as used by circus clown. Perhaps the new parliament on stilts is to show and constantly remind us how the people are looked down to by and also reflects those in government today.
Gonzi-Piano duo = the modern vandals of our capital city.
Joseph Arpa
Mar 12th 2010, 07:47
@ Jes Abela If you specify who the all are when you said "We are all behind you", I'll specify who my all are! Cause if you read the below, you will see there is no All behind GonziPN.
J.Xuereb
Mar 12th 2010, 00:21
Well done for the commencement of this project. Finally we took a decision, and a good decision, no matter how much some negative Maltese people keep grumbling!!
Victor Laiviera
Mar 12th 2010, 09:21
Those "negative Maltese people" are the vast majority of the population. Once again the PN government shows that it has no respect whatsoever for democracy.
Albert de Marco
Mar 11th 2010, 23:23
1. Why Piano? 2. Why a 3 month exhibition? 3. Why a roofless? 4. Why Bridgeless? 5. Why blocking the square? They say Piano is creative........yeh right haha
victor vellA
Mar 11th 2010, 21:57
can anyone tell me how I can check what I am due for land expropriated for the building of a road?
J Martinelli
Mar 11th 2010, 21:56
@ Pauline Busuttil
Ghall-anqas mhux jaghmel U-turns skond min fejn ir-rih ikun qed jonfoh!
C. Farrugia
Mar 11th 2010, 21:32
It is utterly abysmal how we get to vote on referendums for joining EU, and for those who we deem fit to represent us *OUT THERE*.......but .....NOT for anything which is HOME-GROUND, and which effects us LOCALLY. Malta belongs to the Maltese and not the politicians. Valletta is going to be ruined: modern structures (sic) in an old city! .... SHAME!
Paul Borg
Mar 11th 2010, 21:19
I am for one happy with anything other than the filth that dominates the entrance to the city. My question is more about accessability, and since the gate will be demolished thus interrupting access, I ask what route will delivery vans, visitors and upper Valletta residents will take. This is in view of a route map on the back of flyers for several establishments.
Alfred Camilleri
Mar 11th 2010, 21:06
Victor Laiviera. Pray, where is it clearly shown that the vast majority of the Maltese are against the Piano project? Because you say so? Don't you think that 'incredible arrogance' is being shown by yourself and other Labour Lil'Elves, who by your political bias and hatred cannot bear to see great projects authored by this government come to fruition and whose acme of arrogance is shown in your questioning the genius that is Piano.
Joseph Cauchi. I completely agree with you. The opposition to the project is the result of political expediency, jealousy and sheer ignorance.
Victor Laiviera
Mar 12th 2010, 09:39
1) If you want to know what the people think, read the papers, look at the polls talk to the people in the streets, the shop, the workplaces. You will soon find out.
2) The fact that you try to spice up your posts with childish taunts like “lil’Elves (which you can’t even spell properly) shows that you get your ideas from certain blogs, Try living in the real world.
3) Since you think that anyone who opposes this abomination is doing so for political motives, it is pretty obvious that you back it for the same reasons – political passion. You are measuring others by your own yardstick
lgalea
Mar 11th 2010, 20:53
james grech you are perfectly correct
The PN wants to destroy everything that was made by Labour.
Witness the 7 June 1919 monument.
Witness the destruction of freedom square because the PN NEVER believed in freedom.
We will be presented with a city gate of a fortified city without a gate, a roofless theatre and a parliament on stilts as used by circus clown. Perhaps the new parliament on stilts is to show and constantly remind us how the people are looked down to by and also reflects those in government today.
Gonzi-Piano duo = the modern vandals of our capital city.
Pauline Busuttil
Mar 11th 2010, 19:56
Il Prim MInistru ser ikompli jaghmel ta' rasu u mhux qed jaghti kaz ta' dawk in-nies kollha li qed jghidulu biex jerga jahsieba fuq dan il-progett. QED JAGHMEL TA' RASU. Ser ikollna mostru fil-bidu tal'Belt sabiha taghna. Jien ghadni nispera li ma jsirx
patrick mifsud
Mar 11th 2010, 19:13
this is the problem in our tiny island. everyone changes his profession whenever a project is put to plan. people become architects, financial advisors, experts in environment etc. give us a break please. i would like to see the project starting and then finished. if it is done according to plans it will give our Capital City entrance the deserved entrance. it will be much better than it is today and the fact that it is designed by the most famous architect in the World it will attract people to see it. let the project begins and then talk. have you ever entered Valletta and imagined how the project will look by just trying to figure out how the project will be. try to do it and then talk.
H Zammit
Mar 11th 2010, 20:05
Rest assured that I did not change my profession but you probably did. In addition I can assure you that I can perceive the completed project much better than you - it is my profession. Unfortunately as I said before some peoples position in an argument reflects only their political inclination rather than their expertise and good judgement.
joe gatt
Mar 12th 2010, 09:54
It seems that either you are under a seige mentality, whereby any open space that is messed up by irresponsible people, should be permantly developed, rather than improved to be enjoyed by all. There are those I believe that feels secure by building walls around themselves, yet seek the open spaces for their relaxation, if not to dump their garbage too. I disagree with you totally, as Mr Zammit was saying, the new paliament building would block the view of the rebuilt theater, so what is wrong in having an open space what is the point in destroying the few remaining in our towns and cities. Money talks, there is lots to be made here, lots of construction. Empty spaces do not generate much of if.
H Zammit
Mar 11th 2010, 18:04
This is why anything goes in Malta. The people always manage to turn any issue into a political issue and this is very convenient to politicians. Please make a favour to ourselves, future generations and the future of the city - do not turn the city gate project into a political one as it will only serve well the politicians not the nation.
1. First of all I dont know how the Government decided to go ahead with the works when the application PA3521/09 has not yet been granted a permit yet. That doesn't seem to worry the Govt. much because MEPA is endowed with yes men.
2. The original idea was to rebuild the Theatre site not the adjacent square. My humble opinion is to demolish the buildings in the square to expose the Cavalier but redesign the square as a square rather than build on it since any building in the square will overshadow the Cavalier, the roofless theatre and the entrance itself.
3. So where should the parliament go? The site on the main guard opposite the palace is of adequate size to house the parliament & we can have to palaces overlooking pjazza San Gorg.
Joe grech
Mar 11th 2010, 17:32
Hello Hon. Prime Minister - please read the Comments - they show you beyond the shadow of a doubt that you are making the mistake of your life building an unnecessary Parliament and ruining not just Freedom Square but the entrance to our beautiful Valletta.
M.Portelli
Mar 11th 2010, 21:34
Reuining Freedom Square! - you are joking right, that is as much a square as it is a car park, it's awful and an eyesore, one of the benefits of this project is that it will be gone forever, not only due to it's lack of asthetics but also since it mars the symmetry of Valletta
Joseph Cauchi
Mar 11th 2010, 17:18
.
It seems that the ANTI-PIANO-BRIGADE is in PANIC-MODE, now that they know that this project is really getting started.
No one is going to convince me that all this opposition from the Noisy Minority is for the genuine concern of a roofless theatre; but rather to hinder at all costs any development embarked upon by the present Government and in order to halt any progress beneficial to our country.
Unfortunately, this “brigade” can’t really stomach the development of this site as they are quite aware that this will automatically BOLSTER the popularity of our Prime Minister and his Government.
Their constant moaning and grumbling is a clear sign of this.
If this is not political, I don’t know what is!
JC.
A. Zahra
Mar 11th 2010, 17:11
Thank God that GonziPN is stubborn. Had the PN followed instead of led, we would not have a state of the art hospital, still be out of the EU, not have had the Euro, still be subsidising the drydocks, seamalta, wastage in electrictity and water consumption etc, etc. Also no public transport reform, MEPA reform, rent laws reform etc, etc. Thank God for the PN - a party which has vision and which leads.
Jesmond Abela
Mar 11th 2010, 17:02
Mr Arpa - Believe it or not our prim minister is Dr L Gonzi. Can you please specify again who are the NOBODY,because all you are saying is bla bla bla. If i am not mistaken instead just theatre we are going have a theatre and a parliament ... is that a problem. And your last sentence says it all .!!!!!!! "No need for an alternative place they can continue talking bla bla where they are today." Can you please give a reason why the parliament should remain there.To start with shouldnt be there at the first place..... inside the President office.
Wayne Hewitt
Mar 11th 2010, 16:55
Biex neqirdu eletti nohorgu kieku. Minflok tkunu kuntenti li finalment se jsir xi haga! Jaghmel x'jaghmel il-Gvern hemm, ikun min ikun fil-Gvern, qatt ma kien se jaqbel mieghu kulhadd. Kieku aqta kemm naslu kieku kellu jikkuntenta lil kulhadd!
Prosit tal-progett. U wara jmiss il-parti t'isfel tal-bel Valletta, jigifieri Sant'Iermu... forsi fl-ahhar ikollna Belt Kapitali denja li tissejjah Kapitali.
Jesmond Abela
Mar 11th 2010, 16:46
@ Mr Laviera , Mr Bugeja and the rest - ppl like you make me sick! To all the labour supporters writing in here, we all know that have been waiting for such a project for ages and now that we are going to start one of the most important monuments for a great CITY , here you are complaining that are money down the drain and the excuse of the new parliament. Can you please tell us if you are infavour of such a project or not?? Be honest with yourselves, do we deserve better entrance for our capital city. We have a Govt. elected last election with the majority of the Maltese people, hence he has all the rights to proceed with his program. What ever you say we are ALL going to have a descent city gate for our Valletta. Like it or not this is not money down the drain but purely Jelousy. Keep the good work Dr Gonzi..... we are all behind you.
Victor Laiviera
Mar 12th 2010, 09:45
Yes, we deserve a better entrance to out capital city. With this project it is going to get worse, not better.
And we are not going to get a descent(sic) gate for our city - we are not going to get a gate at all - just a gash in the fortifications lika a person smiling with a missing tooth!
vincent busuttil
Mar 11th 2010, 16:38
Our money in vain.!!!! Give us something to grumble about and we surely be the first in the UE. We are a country of experts in every thing just like the Italians are a people of football coaches.
AS for myself cannot wait till the whole project is ready.
Clive Gerada
Mar 11th 2010, 16:34
Yeah, at least the parliament building should not exceed the height of the walls. It would be an eyesore if it can be seen from outside of the city gate. Also a huge percentage of the population are against it, so how come one is being so stubborn?
gxuereb
Mar 11th 2010, 16:33
What an appropriate date to launch the ruining of Valletta! April Fool's Day or better still in our own language 'JUM IL-GIFA'!!
Joseph Arpa
Mar 11th 2010, 16:28
@ J Abela
Our Prim Minister was elected after a campaign calling himself GONZIPN, so I presume that he is happy with this name he choose himself.
Nobody is a large section (majority) of people who are complaining, and that Mr GonziPN does not want to listen to. Nobody are all of us who want a Theatre and not a new parliament for bla bla and more bla, and Nobody is the rest of us except GonziPN and you of course.
No need for an alternative place they can continue talking bla bla where they are today.
Victor Laiviera
Mar 11th 2010, 15:53
@ Mr J Tonna
If you need "numbers" to know that the vast majority of the Maltese people are against this abomination you must be living on another island - or in another planet.
CVella
Mar 11th 2010, 21:26
That's the same way the Labour Party decides the results of a referendum or an election. Contrary to your claims, it is anti-democratic.
J. Bugeja
Mar 11th 2010, 15:45
our money in vain....... There are far more important things to invest in but it's clear that the main objective of this government is not the people's interest.
If you really want us to be like the rest of Europe why don't you start by fixing our roads up to standards.
Joseph Gauci
Mar 11th 2010, 15:44
Vera poplu jgerger.. u ma nafx ghalfejn ghax il PN dak li jwieghed dejjem wetqu. Isa ghaziz Prim Ministru taghna urighom lil dawn il-lablaba kemm int sod fil kelma. Tal-iskantament il-PN wettaq tant progetti kbar mhux bil paroli imma bil fatti hu min Smart City mis City Gate ha jaqta qalbu. Prosit Gonzi.
A. Gauci
Mar 11th 2010, 15:41
I'm going to miss the old Valletta city as I used to know it. Freedom Square will not be free anymore and what's worse is the new City Gate...ugh...horrible...
Ian Cassar
Mar 11th 2010, 16:10
Which part are you going to miss exactly? The shabby shops? The parked cars? The smell of urine? The tarmac entrance? The aesthetically horrendous gate? Grow up, leave the island, look beyond your shores and learn to appreciate what this Government is doing to our capital city: a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen. And it had to be yet another gentleman to restore it to its former glory! Thank you Dr. Gonzi!
Jesmond Abela
Mar 11th 2010, 15:38
@ Joseph Arpa - Nobody wants a parliament there .... can you please clarify exactly (no Body) whom are you referring to. Can you please at least suggest another place !!!! and BTW our prim minister has a name i.e. Dr Gonzi (incase you don't know)
Colin Attard
Mar 11th 2010, 15:34
I totally agree with Anthony Slater about the unsightly building over the City Gate Shopping Complex protruding violently over the bastions. This project should have included this part too. Personally I have nothing against the project but I’m totally against not rebuilding the Royal Opera House as it was. This is going to be part of our history down the drain. But again this is Malta we think differently from the rest of Europe and the world.
J.Tonna
Mar 11th 2010, 15:32
@ Victor Laiviera - "So the government is gong ahead with this abomination despite the fact that it has been clearly shown that a vast majority of the Maltese peole are against it. What incredible arrogance. This is a total negation of democracy".
This is the second time that I read these sentences today, however you did not give us the NUMBER of those opposing the project and why. It may be sheer jealousy.
Josanne Balzan
Mar 11th 2010, 15:31
Looking forward for the job to start and hopefully finish on time and within budget.
I am surprised to see so many people interested in theatre all of a sudden. Our theatres should be packed with money since there are so many theatre goers.
David Gatt
Mar 13th 2010, 11:27
Only problem is... when it rains the theatre will be empty
Joseph Cauchi
Mar 11th 2010, 15:19
.
FANTASTIQUE!
Let’s roll, PM, that’s the spirit!
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going”!
JC.
C. Muscat
Mar 11th 2010, 15:17
This is why the water tariff's are so high. Viva Gonzi... Viva PN. For his project you do not have to ask from where to get the money. To reduce the water and electricity tariffs to cover only the oil price we have to tell Gonzi and Tonio fenech from where to get the money but for a project that will be three to four times higher than normal amounts.........
Chris Grech
Mar 11th 2010, 15:09
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100310/local/dlh-drops-out-of-rally-after-disagreements-on-valletta-project
to see how st james and st john can never see each other!! what a pity!!
Victor Laiviera
Mar 11th 2010, 15:02
So the government is gong ahead with this abomination despite the fact that it has been clearly shown that a vast majority of the Maltese peole are against it. What incredible arrogance.
This is a total negation of democracy.
k.pace
Mar 11th 2010, 19:12
No sir, democracy stems from the vote and not from megaphones. Those who are elected have the responsibilty to decide.
CVella
Mar 12th 2010, 09:09
Where was that 'clearly shown'? This is a genuine question.
ASpiteri
Mar 11th 2010, 14:43
Unfortunately seems that this no April fool joke...as the government is determined to bet his last hope to clinch the next election on this project!
mario scerri
Mar 11th 2010, 14:29
Kemm ghandna gvern ihobb jiccajta hux. Ahjar it-tariffi m'ghola s-smewwiet tad-dawl u l-ilma kienu jidhlu fis-sehh mill-1 t'April li gej. Forsi konna nehduhom bhala cajta.
Eric Gahn
Mar 11th 2010, 14:19
Very fitting. Just goes to prove that Gonzi & Co think of people as April Fools.
Joss Galea
Mar 11th 2010, 14:17
@All......kemm teqirdu!!
Dr Andrew Azzopardi
Mar 11th 2010, 14:15
On Maundy Thursday, of all days? Or is it to create a sepulchral effect for Good Friday?
J Martinelli
Mar 11th 2010, 14:14
April 1 will make a fool out of all the sceptics!
Good job and let's get on with it!
james grech
Mar 11th 2010, 15:00
Fool is he who blindfolded follows his leader because he is incapable of confronting him and stating his opinion.
Albert de Marco
Mar 11th 2010, 23:13
Sceptics? Im an artist and I assure you its a design disaster .......... talk to me in 3 years time
R. Giorgino
Mar 11th 2010, 14:07
Why not give a boost to the Burger King complex/arcades. They are in a disgraceful state especially the stairs which emerge near Trafalgar gift shop, which are used as a lattrine. May I include also the lattrine, that is, the stairs near the Tourist Information.
ASpiteri
Mar 11th 2010, 14:06
Our generation will be remembered in shame for passively allowing this madness to go through!
Joseph Arpa
Mar 11th 2010, 14:03
Hello....Mr GonziPN
Nobody wants a new parliament building there...we want the new Theatre and what do you start the project with......the parliament building of course!!!
Please can we get rid of this hard headed government?
Ivan Cassar
Mar 11th 2010, 13:47
Great Bla bla, now get on with it and finish on time and whitin budget please.
A. Slater
Mar 11th 2010, 13:39
It's a shame the whole 'Burger King' block cannot be razed to the ground allowing St John's Cavalier to face St James Cavalier
Lawrence Gauci
Mar 11th 2010, 13:39
HAHA April fool ...
N Zammit Alamango
Mar 11th 2010, 13:30
April 1 ?
I do hope its an April Fool's joke !
martin saliba
Mar 11th 2010, 13:30
Nice choice for a date. I realy hope that this is just a joke and that we are not going to be lumped with a monster just because of a name ( Piano ).
Carmel Garcia
Mar 11th 2010, 13:24
1st April will be April Fool, is it?