The proposal by Limassol Municipality to upgrade and expand the archaeological museum into the adjoining public garden received positive feedback during a meeting held on Wednesday at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works. The meeting was attended by Minister Alexis Vafeadis, Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou, and the Director of the Department of Antiquities, Giorgos Georgiou.
Speaking to CNA, Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis said that during the meeting, the previously considered option of extending the museum into the PASYDY building was abandoned due to time-consuming procedures. Instead, he noted, officials “welcomed and supported the municipality’s idea to expand the museum into the public garden.”
Specifically, the municipality is proposing an upgrade of the existing archaeological museum and the construction of a new building within the public garden. The two sites would be linked via an elevated bridge over Anastasios Sioukri Street. The plan also includes the creation of a new urban square in place of the current Green Spaces Department car park.
“It was a preliminary meeting with a positive response,” said Armeftis, adding that “we discussed how the project can move forward and mature, with the final decision to be taken by the President of the Republic.”
He pointed out that, in previous years, discussions were based on unfeasible proposals, resulting in the loss of valuable time. Now, however, “the project is finally on track.”
He added that the outcomes of the meeting would be formally presented to the municipal council.
During the same meeting with the Minister of Transport, the mayor said that several other issues related to Limassol’s traffic problems were discussed, with the municipal authority submitting proposals.
“We discussed the northern bypass with the minister, and as the Municipality of Limassol, we requested coordination of all public services for the Evagoras Lanitis section. We also discussed various road connections to the highway and the two bridges approved by the municipal council,” he said. “We presented a preliminary plan for parking areas on the EVKAF site, as well as for smaller parking zones around the city centre.”
Among other things, Armeftis said a request was made for funding a feasibility study for a tram system, as well as other traffic-related studies.
Also read: European Commission announces support for cultural heritage
Partial source: CNA
