Mepa approves Dock 1 area transformation project

Christ Aquilina

Apr 30th 2010, 01:22

Fl-ahhar waslet dik l-ahbar li ahna l-bormlizi konna ielna nistennew ghal bosta snin.Forsi fl-ahhar,bis-sahha ta' dan il-progett, din il-belt tant ghaziza ghalina tinghata dehra aktar sabiha li jixirqilha,u certu sezzjoni tas-socjeta tibda thares lejna b'lenti differenti.Sfortunatament uhud ghadhom iqisu lill-Bormlizi xi nies tat-tieni klassi u meta tghidilhom li int minn Bormla jqarrsu wicchom.Mentri kieku jaqraw ftit l-istorja ta' pajjizna jibdew japprezaw x'kontribut enormi taw in-nies ta' dan il-lokal matul is-snin u minflok jintbatu nies bi problemi socjali jghixu hawn,jibdew jitwettqu aktar progetti ta'dan it-tip.Nisperaw li mhix xi ferha ohra bla temma ghax issa xbajna nistennew!

John Falzon

Apr 29th 2010, 22:18

Great news indeed, especially welcomed by all the residents of the Three Cities. Now the residents need to see a continuation of development. As a resident of Senglea, I am eagerly awaiting the second phase of the development of Boiler Wharf into a cruise liner terminal. Also the Macina, bordering the dock 1 area, seems to be a natural continuation of the process of development. Both sites have a high historic and touristic value and potential to attract investment for the benefit of all concerned, especially the residents. Again well done.

Buhagiar M

Apr 29th 2010, 20:26

Hadt pjacir nisma din l-ahbar li fl-ahhar dan il-lok se jsir uzu minnu. Kienet vera hasra li jithalla hekk. Nissugerixxi li jinsabu l-ftit nies li fadal jahdmu d-dghajjes tradizzjonali u jinghataw xi mahzen biex jahdmu fih dawn id-dghajjes tradizzjonali tal-injam. B'hekk jista jservi ta live exhibition ghal maltin u t-turisti u jkun anke ta tkomplija mal-muzew marittimu. Tajjeb ukoll li jsir parking sewwa, u fittxu ghamlu dawk il-lanec. 60 sena ilu kienu jghatu servizz tajjeb fil-port tant li baqghu jahdmu fil gwerra

Alfred Farrugia

Apr 29th 2010, 19:39

With all due respect, as far as I know, Dock No. 1 was not built by and for the Royal Navy, as suggested by Mr. Ray Miller. I was taught that Dock No. 1 was built by the Knights. So, old British military vessels will be out of place in Dock No. 1, although several might have been repaired over there.

If the MTA is interested in a tourist attraction it could consider partnering with a private sector entrepreneur and develop a show similar to the one that used to be performed in front of the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. An enactment of a battle between the “Knights” and “Ottoman sailors or pirates” on a “sinking” vessel would attract tourists and Maltese alike. The show in Las Vegas has now been replaced by the free outdoor show the Sirens of TI, where sirens clash with pirates, presumably using the same vessel and pyrotechnics. Before the current adult version, this free show was performed several times during the day.

http://www.treasureisland.com/shows/sirens_of_ti.aspx

Anton Zammit

Apr 29th 2010, 19:18

The news that the number 1 dock restoration is to finally get underway is indeed welcome. I agree wholeheartedly with the suggestion of having a retired Royal Navy vessel permanently docked. The structure of the dock is in itself is an engineering masterpiece, and it would be somewhat of a waste to have it permanently flooded as it is now.

Ccharles Massa

Apr 29th 2010, 19:14

Se jaghmlu xi haga fl ahhar wara 25 sena ta gvern tal PN

Ray Banister

Apr 29th 2010, 17:13

As regular visitors to Bormla, we are delighted to see approval granted to revamp the area, but as a tourist I agree with Mr Pulis and hope it is done with thought and in keeping with Maltese history, culture and architectiure (i.e. not like THOSE appartments in Birgu !). That's why we come to Malta regularly and why we don't stay in the usual tourist places - been there, done that and not for us. When we stay in Bormla "il-Bormlizi" treat as like locals and we value their hospitality and the friendship they give us. So, well done to the planning authority and the local council for pushing for this - looking forward to seeing the finished product... but keep it tasteful please !

victor pulis

Apr 29th 2010, 16:04

The same goes for Fort St. Angelo of course. And while we're on the subject how about utilizing the macina? The place is in a shambles. The spacious rooms in the sheer bastion could be turned into a museum exhibiting Senglea's history. The area comprisinf St. Angelo, number one ock and the Macina would be a tourist paradise bringing in jobs and revenue to the three cities.

victor pulis

Apr 29th 2010, 15:35

Good news indeed. Now let's develop the place in a sensible manner. No yacht marinas please and no modern shops, boutiques, supermarkets etc. but amenities in keeping with the historical place. Any development should show respect to the history of the place. The warehouses lining the dock were used by the knights to store their galleys in fact some of the galleys' names are still just visible on the lintel of the doors of some of the warehouses.
tourists don't come to Malta to have their hair done or to shop. They come to see the history of the place and the Cottonera in general and Grand Harbour in particular are the cradle of Malta's history. Things should not be done in a hurry to get the place ready for a photo shoot but after some real brainstorming. Well done MEPA on this one.

vincent scerri

Apr 29th 2010, 15:13

Naturally a pedestrian precinct and a refurbished, landscape surroundings.

J Brincat

Apr 29th 2010, 14:32

Who some months ago said that Dock No 1 is to be transformed into a Crafts Village to replace Ta' Qali?

Peter Borg Costanzi

Apr 29th 2010, 14:23

I fully agree with Chris. We do not have a proper regatta course and the dock is the only place where we can find calm waters all the year round and thus be able to hold kayak sprints.
All that remains is for someone to take responsibility to clean up the floating debris on a regular basis. Coming to think of it, how about cleaning the floatsam from all the harbours?
Pete

Paul Gauci

Apr 29th 2010, 14:20

Great news. I just hope that the area will also be embellished. There is a lot of potential there which still has to be used to the full.

Alfred Briffa

Apr 29th 2010, 14:18

This was a bright idea from the Infrastructure Ministry and I am sure it will be appreciated by the people of Cospicua and il-Bormlizi who reside in other villages!
The fact that there was a consensus means that even the PL representative is in agreement with the Govenment's proposal....a rare event!
Bormla ser tkompli tisbieh!

John Carmel Navarro

Apr 29th 2010, 13:48

Fantastic news for the Three Cities, any regeneration has got to be welcomed with open arms. There is no doubt that my part of Malta has an amazing past, now with some tender loving care it can again raise from the ashes.

Ray Miller

Apr 29th 2010, 13:34

There have been some proposals made over the past few years for a replica galley or galleon to be placed in No 1 Dock as a tourist attraction. However, the Dock was built by and for the Royal Navy, and I feel that a warship that actually served on the Mediterranean station would be more of an attraction. There are a number of old British frigates and destroyers that are still serving in South American or Asian navies, and I am sure that they should not be expensive to acquire. A typical example is at the web-page indicated:
http://www.expreso.ec/ediciones/2009/12/02/nacional/actualidad/marina-subastara-el-moran-valverde/
How about it, M.T.A.?

chris camilleri

Apr 29th 2010, 13:12

it would be nice to hold 200m kayak sprint races in the actual dock. . . It forms the exact distance!!! PAddling conditions are perfect, controlled atmosphere and what's best is that there will be people walking by who could enjoy viewing the events!!