Former Downtown Hotel to become Gozo's new €6.3 million courthouse

The former Downtown Hotel in Victoria will be the site for the new Gozo courthouse, after the government agreed on an acquisition price of €6,325,000.

In a press statement, the government announced it had signed a promise of sale agreement for the acquisition of the former hotel in Triq l-Ewropa, and the site will see the development of a new, modern and accessible courthouse. 

Justice Minister Jonathan Attard announced the government had found a new site for the Gozo court on Tuesday, the start of a solution to a saga that had dragged on for years. 

The new site was announced during a press conference attended by Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and CEO of the Court Services Agency, Vanessa Grech.

Property magnate Joseph Portelli is a director of the hotel and has a small shareholding.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Gozo hotel housed geriatric patients who were relocated there from the island's hospital. In 2020, the government was paying more than €100 per day per room for the patients. 

The government said the property was selected following an extensive evaluation process and assessment of key criteria, including location, accessibility, size, legal status, compliance with safety standards, redevelopment potential, and financial viability.

Among 11 submissions received during the Public Market Consultation, the former hotel emerged as the most technically and financially suitable option.

"Strategically located in the heart of Victoria, the site offers excellent accessibility and ample space for redevelopment into a contemporary courthouse," the press release read.

Its redevelopment feasibility, negotiated acquisition price of €6,325,000, and projected redevelopment cost further reinforced its selection as the preferred choice.

The current Gozo Court, located in the heart of the Citadel in a 17th century building, continues to operate in conditions that have long been criticised by both lawyers and the judiciary.

And the saga surrounding the relocation of the Gozo courts has stretched back to over a decade, spanning successive administrations and multiple abandoned proposals, and the issues resurface periodically in public debate.

The Court Services Agency launched a Public Market Consultation in November 2022 to identify suitable properties in line with Public Procurement Regulations.

Following approvals, negotiations led to the signing of the Promise of Sale, the press release read. 

The redevelopment works of the Court are expected not to exceed three years.

Left to right: Court Services CEO Vanessa Grech, along with Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and Permanent Secretary for Justice Ministry Johan Galea.

Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said that this is a significant milestone for the justice sector in Gozo.

“After years of discussion and planning, we are delivering on our promise to provide a modern, accessible court that meets the needs of today and tomorrow. Justice should never be compromised by infrastructure limitations, and this project ensures that Gozitans will have equal access to justice in a dignified environment.”

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri welcomed the "long-needed" step to ensure the Gozo Court has an accessible building that meets today's requirements.

"This is an important investment being made in the island of Gozo so that all those who work in the courts on a daily basis, as well as citizens, are provided with a Court that is fully equipped for all necessary functions. We now look ahead as works begin to convert the building.”

During the press conference, a walkthrough and artistic impression of the proposed courthouse design were presented, offering a clear vision of the planned redevelopment and its benefits for the community. 

Vanessa Grech, CEO of the Court Services Agency, provided a detailed overview of the process that led to this acquisition, outlining the steps taken from the initial market consultation to the final agreement.

The press conference at the Ministry for Gozo and Planning was attended by Johan Galea, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, Mario Borg, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Gozo and Planning and the Court Services Agency's administration.