Our Government has championed a considerable number of noteworthy projects, not least among them the regeneration of Valletta.
Valletta is fast becoming a renovated capital city and it is our aim to have Valletta as a distinct capital City of Culture in 2018- Jason Azzopardi
Presently, ‘City Gate’ is being transformed and will soon join the remarkable completed projects such as St James Cavalier, Pjazza San Ġorġ and Pjazza Reġina, the renovation of the Upper and Lower Barrakkas, the upgrading of Hastings gardens and the restoration of Valletta’s majestic fortifications.
Valletta has also undergone changes in a number of pedestrian zones with new pavements replacing older ones.
Valletta is fast becoming a renovated capital city and it is our aim to have Valletta as a distinct capital City of Culture in 2018.
We are aware that all this infrastructural activity has also led to a number of temporary inconveniences. Some indirect impacts were the decrease of parking spaces and lack of easy accessibility while works are in progress.
It was with great satisfaction that I announced, earlier this month, the agreement between the government and the owners of MCP car park that will see the car park area transformed into a public landscaped garden.
The project will also provide an increase of more than 400 parking spaces.
We succeeded in reaching this agreement following intensive consultation meetings with all interested stakeholders.
Once a Malta Environment and Planning Authority permit is granted, the project will take 18 months to complete.
The planned extension of the car park will also address concretely the re-organisation of pedestrian flow and vehicular traffic management going towards and out of Valletta’s main entrance.
With this improved and enhanced accessibility it is easy to understand why this project was also favourably acclaimed as a win-win solution by the Valletta business community, GRTU, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the public.
Consequently, I presented a motion in Parliament to request an extension of the present emphyteutical grant, which expires in 2041, by another 65 years.
The current emphyteusis signed in 1991, covering just over 1,000 car spaces, carries an annual ground rent of €23,000 revisable every 25 years.
The new emphyteutical grant period will increase the annual ground rent to €200,000 which will be reviewed every 10 years.
The new proposal will oblige the operators to invest a minimum of €5 million in the project with a contractual obligation to convert the roofed area into a public garden that will be maintained, at stipulated standards, at the expense of the operator.
Another important condition of this agreement is that the operator cannot have retail or catering outlets except minor car care services such as valeting and sports-related facilities.
The Government will also be renting out 100 car spaces from the operator, for the duration of 94 years, at better prices than those commercially offered.
These will be utilised by the Government to free further car spaces within Valetta.
It is with great optimism that I look forward to the completion of this landmark project, which will further enhance our approach to Malta’s capital city.
This will make it a deserved contribution to our Città Umilissima from a Government that cares, performs and delivers.
Dr Azzopardi is Minister for Fair Competition, Small Business and Consumers.