Decision on old opera house "site by end of the month"

THE entrance to the capital city has for years been waiting for the removal of the wartime wound which can be seen in the Opera House ruins, Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett said.

Speaking during the annual workshop organised by the Society of Architecture and Civil Engineering Students (SACES), Mr Mugliett expressed his hope that the Cabinet would decide about the development of the ruined opera house, and how this would be linked to the development of Independence Square, by the end of the month.

On Wednesday Mr Mugliett, addressing a business breakfast, said the government wants to relocate Parliament to the opera house site, which would be rebuilt if the proposal was approved by Cabinet. Mr Mugliett had said the project was in the design stage, and its financial feasibility was under study.

Yesterday Mr Mugliett also spoke about the park and ride project, which, he said, would improve access to Valletta and lead to a drastic improvement in its look since it would decrease the need for cars to enter the capital city. This, he said, would also lead to a quality of life improvement both for residents and visitors.

Mr Mugliett said road works would lead to work on the park and ride system, starting later this year, while a solution for the relocation of commercial interests found in the area which is being developed as a car park is found.

The minister said projects like the renovation of St James Cavalier Centre for Arts and Creativity, the upper and lower Barracca Gardens and other projects are helping to give a new life to Valletta.

The SACES workshop, which this year is being held at the old power station on the Valletta waterfront, is being attended by 120 students.

The minister said it was satisfying to see architecture students being brought up in a culture which not only teaches them to be sensitive to the needs of society, but also helps them take a pro-active attitude to these needs.