Paceville needs to be managed better, taking into consideration the contrasting interests of residents, businesses, consumers and stakeholders, the chairman of Parliament’s Social Affairs Committee, Edwin Vassallo, explained.
The aim is to turn Paceville from a night time destination to a 24-hour place of activities
This will be one of the issues tackled in a report containing recommendations to improve the situation in the entertainment hub where public disorder is a concern. The document was in its final stages and would soon be presented to Parliament, Mr Vassallo said.
Mark Scerri, from the Malta Tourism Authority, said the plan was to introduce the concept of town centre management in the area in the near future.
Through this system, private and government stakeholders would be able to appoint a person to administrate the area. This had been proven successful in the management of Spinola Gardens, situated opposite Wembley car hire, he said.
Mr Scerri was speaking during a presentation of the MTA’s plans for Paceville for the next three years.
He delivered his presentation at BJ’s club in Paceville to members of the Social Affairs Committee and to the media.
He said the aim was to transform Paceville from a night-time destination to a 24-hour place of activities.
Mr Scerri explained that over the next few years the resident and working population in Paceville would increase.
The new Pender Gardens apartments and business tower would generate at least 1,000 residents and 800 workers while St George’s Parks’ new office block would lead to another 800 workers.
Apart from the new developments, Portomaso had 420 apartments and a 500-room hotel.
The MTA planned to embellish the centre that included the square, St George’s Road, Wilġa Street and Dragonara Road. Works start later this month to replace the existing paving with lava stone.
The MTA was looking into extending the hours when the area was closed to traffic. Currently, the area is closed off in the evenings on weekends during winter and every evening in summer.
Mr Vassallo explained that it was important for the committee to be aware of such plans to ensure recommendations listed in the report kept the bigger picture in mind.
For example, by turning Paceville into a 24-hour attraction spot, more inconveniences could be caused for residents and that would have to be addressed. This could also be an added burden on the police.
He explained that the committee decided to look into Paceville after last summer a group of parents voiced their concern over several incidents that happened in the area.
The parents set up a pressure group, the Group Acting for a Safe Paceville (GASP), to make Paceville safer.