Juan Ameen
April 1 fixed for demolition works in Freedom Square
Time to go... Shops beneath the arcades on Freedom square have to move out by March 27 as work on the project starts on April 1. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Work on the Valletta entrance project will start on April 1 when Freedom Square will be closed for demolition works on the shops under the arcades, according to Lands Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi.
Although discussions were still going on between the shop owners and the government, the 17 shops at City Gate and Freedom Square would be relocated to main streets in Valletta, Dr Azzopardi said.
But nothing had been yet finalised, he added.
Discussing his second year in office, Dr Azzopardi said the shops might be relocated to government properties in Melita, Old Bakery and Merchant Streets.
Architect Renzo Piano's plans for Valletta's new entrance do away with the arcades built after WWII and the shops on one side of Freedom Square.
The tenants have to vacate the premises by March 27, which means the government and the owners have less than two weeks to reach an agreement.
Dr Azzopardi said talks, which have been going on since June, were very positive and with goodwill from both sides, "I'm confident we will reach an agreement that will satisfy both parties."
But there were a small number of tenants who were not interested in alternative accommodation and instead were considering accepting the government's offer of financial compensation, he said.
Speaking about compensation for government expropriated land, Dr Azzopardi said the Lands Department had already paid out at least €100 million in the past 10 years but still owed around €50 million.
Last year was a record year for enforcement action taken by the department which included the eviction of squatters from St Andrew's bastions in Valletta and the removal of restaurant tables and chairs from public spaces.
In fact, there were 424 enforcement actions by five officers who had a "thankless job", Dr Azzopardi said.
In 2008, over 1,400 reports were filed through the department's Freephone 1577 which was set up for people to report abuse of government property.
The department was also working on giving a title deed to thousands of people who, for years, have been living in properties without actually owning them.
"They moved in under home ownership schemes after the government expropriated the property from the owners, without ever becoming the owners," he explained.
By summer, the department should have the exact number of these cases and these will eventually be given title over their property.
In fact, Dr Azzopardi has just signed the papers for 148 families in Rabat who have been living in this situation for the past 20 years. "The property is finally their own and cost the government €700,000."
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C Cassar
Mar 12th 2010, 19:08
@Lesley kreupl: Because the "businesses" you talk about are an eysore and put tourists off, especially as they are the first sight when you walk into Freedom Square (together with all the parked cars). They have never invested in any of their shop fronts for years and this is typical of the short sighted people who own them, only thinking about making some quick Euros and not investing anything over the many years they have been there. Well, time has caught up with them and now they'll be condemned to the back streets where they belong. One of the advantages of the renovation is that all of these outlets get removed. @smifsud: correct, Valletta will be ruined, so let the runing begin on April 1st. Nothing can be worse than the current state of this area. As for the march tomorrow, it's a shame because there are some good organisations involved but this time around they have been sadly misinformed and their credibility will be seriously damaged by taking part. Still, Sunday 14th March is the next day and it'll be one day closer to a new Valletta entrance.
smifsud
Mar 12th 2010, 18:49
what a joke !!!....Valletta is going to be ruined...no square but an open roof ...wow what a trade off ...how about leaving the square open and put a roof on the opera house ?
Lesley kreupl
Mar 12th 2010, 18:01
Whose brilliant idea was it to demolish all these businesses just before Easter and the first rush of tourists for the year?
Joseph P. Borg
Mar 12th 2010, 15:25
The Hon Jason Azzopardi has declared that govt has paid €100 million in the last ten years for land expropriation, yet he has not found the time to start negotiations to pay me for land taken by govt at Wied Blandun some 35 years ago even though he knows that the excuse brought foreward by the AG in declaring under oath that my rights for compensation have been prescribed by law. I never demanded any amount as payment due but only insisted with govt to initiate proceedings as required by law, something that till today has been always postponed with the knowledge of DR Jason. Payment to members of parliament , on both sides, was effected within a couple of years, but I am still waiting after 35 years.
Paul Borg
Mar 12th 2010, 15:17
Everyone who disagrees with the way this project is being handled should turn up at tomorrow's rally against illegality, 10am City Gate, Valletta
C Cassar
Mar 12th 2010, 14:05
Finally some action rather than all of the hot air that usually (and still is from certain sources) is being spouted.
I'll be along on 1st to congratulate the first workers starting the demolition. It's going to be a fantastic upgrade for both Valletta and Malta.
Joe Cordina
Mar 12th 2010, 13:59
Well if the work does not start on time, the government could always say that it was just an April fool Joke!!!
DR EMM.BEZZINA,LL.D.,MAG.JUR.,
Mar 12th 2010, 13:06
I do not refer particularly to the Hon.Jason Azzopardi for whom I have high regard on a personal level.However,it is becoming disturbing,extremely preoccupying,in our Democracy that where it suits THE AUTOCRATIC POWER,things,situations,events,nay even justice,are literally speeded up to the extent that whatever the will of THE PEOPLE wills,will be buried long before by a project where it will be much too late for anything to be done about it,whereby by then THE MOANING,THE PREOCCUPIED,THE SADDENED,THE AGGRIEVED,THE FRUSTRATED,THE DUMBFOUNDED DEMOCRATIC VOICES would have been silenced.What sheer arrogance,what abuse,what autocracy are THE AUTOCRATS imposing on our beloved people.THE WHOLE POPULATION is unashamedly ignored under the pretext that CHI COMMANDA FA LA LEGGE which in a DEMOCRACY is not the Case.Many sections of our People have shown disgust at THE PIANO Project:at least have the decency to hold a Referendum to see what IS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE related to A PROJECT which was not outlined or explained in any ELECTORAL MANIFESTO.This is not for the REDS or the BLUES,the GREENS or the VIOLETS,it is for no one,yet for ALL OF US,THE MALTESE & GOZITANS,the PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY WHO HAVE OPTED TO TREASURE OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE!
Christopher Xuereb
Mar 12th 2010, 13:01
Wonders never cease! I would never have thought that I could agree with anything Mr Lowell has to say.
Maria Eleonora Schembri
Mar 12th 2010, 12:46
question: was the date chosen at random or was it done as an ironic joke just to completely flip our lid?! i mean, april fool's day perfectly sums up the people's view of the project: a foolish ego trip that is liked by few and wanted by none. when will people in government realise that spending all that money on such a ludicrous project is a foolish waste of people's hard-earned money? no one wants this blasted project: not the lay people, not the experts! end of!
Paul Borg
Mar 12th 2010, 12:20
Excuse me if I'm missing something but isn't MEPA supposed to issue a permit before these works can begin? Has a permit been issued? What about the EIA they had to do? And traffic management? Il-veru pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse!
@ Joe Borg: Government is being honest by starting it on April 1st - they are taking us for fools!
Adriano Spiteri
Mar 12th 2010, 11:58
I concur with Mr Lowell. This would be a national project without the nation's consent.
The Piano Project should be stopped. I, as a Maltese citizen and taxpayer strongly disagree with this. It testifies to Gonzi & Clan arrogance. It will not be forgotten, it will not be pardoned.
The People have a voice but it is being ignored as plans to ruin our Capital city proceed.
Joseph Borg
Mar 12th 2010, 11:09
How unkind were the sufferrings we endured during the last war. Had the German planes demolished our City Gate entrance instead of the Valetta Theatre they woukd have preceded the Renzo Piano project without us having to fork out the expenses involved.
Ivan Cassar
Mar 12th 2010, 10:44
Great news. Malta will finally have an architectural gem worth of the new millennium.
@Norman Lowell
The elite go the opera theatre, the people socialise in roofless squares.
Brian Borg
Mar 12th 2010, 10:42
the bottom half of the picture above will look the same after spending some € 80 million from our money
Norman Lowell
Mar 12th 2010, 10:35
Short term gains for the elite: means long term loss for the Nation.
The Piano project is a case in point.
Sheer madness.
Does our Nation deserve a roofless theatre, instead of an architectural gem by Barry?
Does our Nation deserve a modern parliament at the entrance of a largely baroque, walled city?
Does the Nation deserve this mediocrity of an elite?
Rebuild the Barry theatre.
Demolish those squallid, socialist flats and ALL the shops around the square.
Reinstate the original entrance with four tunnels leading into a large, symetrical square with the two bastions, uncluttered on either side.
Parliament can be housed at the Main Guard, opposite the President's Palace - where it should be.
The Piano project must be stopped.
This sheer madness: this short term gain for a decrepit elite.
Joseph Borg
Mar 12th 2010, 10:23
Government could not have chosen a better date to start the controversial Valletta entrance project than 1st April-- Fool's Day.