The government and Joe Pace, the owner of Sliema's Magic Kiosk, are still battling it out in court, forcing the demolition works the authorities undertook three weeks ago to remain in suspended animation.
The courts recently ruled that a person trusted by both sides be chosen to oversee the rest of the demolition but so far nobody has been identified.
Government sources accused Mr Pace of procrastinating on the issue, because it was he who had to nominate the person.
Mr Pace could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The court's decision was spurred by Mr Pace's second request for the issue of a warrant of prohibitory injunction filed last month, after he had first tried and failed to halt the demolition works. This time he wants to stop the government from recycling aluminium taken from the kiosk.
The government yesterday filed an application in court to force Mr Pace to choose someone to oversee the demolition so the place could be cleared up once and for all. But the request has still to be approved.
The area remains a hazard in the meantime and an even bigger eyesore than it might have been before. Piles of debris litter St Anne Square where the kiosk once stood and dangerously positioned cables keep dark green material in place around the site.
The controversial turquoise landmark in Sliema was built on government land and was rented by the Pace family for the past 32 years through two contracts.
One part of the lease expired four years ago and was never renewed and the second expired on December 19. The government had filed a judicial protest some months ago informing Mr Pace that the lease would not be renewed.
According to the Land Department, two eviction notices were issued after that date but Mr Pace expected the matter to be resolved in court and so he did not move out, even after a permit was issued for the demolition to take place.
The decision not to renew the leases was taken so that St Anne Square could be returned to its former glory as an open public space with a small wooden kiosk, an initiative of Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino. Mr Pace had offered to fund the project himself if he could run the small kiosk but this offer was refused.
cperegin@timesofmalta.com