Floriana’s multi-storey MCP car park will gain another 402 parking spaces and a public roof garden under new plans unveiled yesterday.
It is a win-win project for Valletta
Small Business Minister Jason Azzopardi described the plans as a “massive boost” for Valletta’s business community.
The project will see the inner core of the car park built up into parking spaces with a roof and landscaped gardens on top.
It will then host more than 1,100 spaces in all.
MCP Company Ltd is contractually obliged to cover the €5 million cost of the development and to maintain the gardens and ensure the public has free access.
The gardens will complement Renzo Piano’s City Gate project, Dr Azzopardi said at the project’s launch.
Following discussions with the GRTU, it was agreed that no commercial outlets will operate at the new car park, except for perhaps a car valet service and a sports gym.
“It’s a win-win project for existing businesses in Valletta because it will encourage more potential customers to visit the city but competition will not increase,” Dr Azzopardi said.
One hundred of the new parking spaces will be reserved for use by public sector employees at reduced rates. The project must be completed within 18 months of Mepa issuing the permit, which Dr Azzopardi expected to happen as soon as Parliament granted its approval for the lease of the land to be extended by a further 65 years when the current lease expires in 2041.
Annual ground rent will rise from the current €23,000 to €200,000, to be revised every 10 years.
Dr Azzopardi said architect Steve DeMicoli had worked closely with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority over the past two years to ensure his detailed drawings were in line with planning requirements.
He also rejected the suggestion that encouraging more cars to visit Valletta would have a negative impact on congestion and air pollution, arguing that the trees in the new garden would improve air quality in the area.
MCP director Saviour Ellul said the car park would remain open for use while the works were being carried out.
Works would take place during off-peak hours to minimise traffic disruption around the capital.
GRTU president Paul Abela welcomed the plans as a boost for the business community.
The original 50-year lease on the car park was granted in 1991.
The Valletta Rehabilitation Committee had suggested that MCP incorporate a roof garden into the design when it was being built, but this suggestion was not taken on board at the time.
The car park was inaugurated in February 1995.