Work on Dock 1 'may start' in two years' time

Work on Cottonera's historic Dock 1 and its surrounding areas sets could start by early 2007, the Urban Development Minister said yesterday as the government launched the development brief for the ambitious Lm12 million regeneration project.

The Cabinet has opted for an international call for expressions of interest in the project, which will link Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa through a continuous waterfront.

The dock is seen as flexible and accessible, capable of accommodating a balanced mix of residential, retail, tourism and cultural facilities to boost the area.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett, launching the brief yesterday, hailed the project as proof of the government's commitment towards regenerating the area.

During a tour of the area, the press were shown some of the dock's 13,000 square metre area, most of which lies in a dilapidated state having now been abandoned for several years.

The brief that led to the Cottonera Waterfront Project did not include the area around Dock 1, since it was still owned by Malta Drydocks Ltd at the time.

Although MDD had worked on developing a brief for the area, their plans were never brought to fruition. Following the government's settlement with MDD last year, whereby the land in question reverted back to the government, the ministry was entrusted with the drafting of a development brief for the area.

The project includes the restoration of buildings covering a total of 2,138 square metres and landscaping covering 13,220 square metres of quays.

The historic dock and the dock buildings are to be restored and re-adapted to a compatible use that would serve as an attraction both to tourists and local visitors.

The various open spaces and nodes are to be re-designed to promote and enhance the vistas from the inner core of Cospicua to Dockyard Creek.

The developers are to promote financial investment from the private sector and direct it towards the establishment of tourist and commercial facilities in the area.

It is ultimately hoped that the project would generate employment opportunities for the local community.

Dr Gonzi said the project was proof of the government's total commitment to regenerate the Cottonera region and improve the quality of life of its people, improve the environment and create new job opportunities through inward investment.

Since 1999, the Cottonera waterfront has seen massive changes, including works on Couvre Porte and St Anne's Gate, and Dr Gonzi vowed that more restoration and rehabilitation will be taking place in the area.

The footprint of the proposed project in fact encompasses not just the dock, the Knights' Building and the British Building alongside it, but envisages the development of three new structures adjacent to these historic buildings.

The Dock 1 brief also considers favourably the extension of the existing marina in Dockyard Creek and the installation of a marine aquarium as part of the project. It also recommends the rehabilitation and conservation of the British Building in its entirety and the ground floor of the Knights' Building.

The brief proposes that a number of streets should be embellished and in some cases pedestrianised.

Mr Mugliett explained that this was the first project spurred by the government that will be advertised internationally.

He added that the project has already generated a lot of interest overseas, particularly in Italy and the UK.

Mr Mugliett said it was the government's wish to select the preferred bidder, obtain the outline development permits and secure Parliament's approval by the middle of next year. This would mean the contract would be signed by July 2006 with work starting in early 2007.

Lessons have been learnt from the past to ensure that the time frames are strictly adhered to, he added.