The Municipality of Nicosia is close to making decisions on the utilisation of the State Fairgrounds area and the Sopaz area.
As the Mayor of Nicosia Charalambos Prountzos has informed the House Home Affairs Committee, the study for the utilisation of the State Fairgrounds area, in combination with the development in Sopaz, has been completed, according to which specific developments are being launched.
More specifically, the creation of an urban park in the State Fairgrounds area and the creation of an innovation zone in the Sopaz area are the preferred options.
In his statements on the subject, Prountzos noted that after four decades of continuous urban development and construction activity in the Engomi area and with a complete absence of a large green lung in the whole of West Nicosia, it is time to take decisive steps in this direction.
He also said that the Municipality has requested a fund of two million euros for the restoration of the existing State Fairgrounds space, while also ensuring the activities of the exhibitors. "It is urgent to provide the funds for the immediate works, so that as a transitional stage, the state exhibition space can continue to host people for recreation as well as exhibitors who have immediate professional needs," he noted.
Prountzos also informed the MPs that in March, the Presidency of the Republic is expected to convene a three-member Committee, consisting of the Municipality of Nicosia, the Nicosia Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the central government, in order to investigate the findings of the study and make final decisions on both the State Fairgrounds and Sopaz locations.
"The largest urban park in Cyprus will be built on the State Fairgrounds site with less than 10% of the built environment and with uses that are consistent with the character of the area," he said. The Mayor also expressed satisfaction with parliamentary scrutiny, which he said is accelerating developments and expressed confidence that final decisions will be made in the coming months.
In relation to the study for the Sopaz area, Prountzos stated that it includes a conference and exhibition space, while noting that specific incentives have been recorded for all uses related to the Sopaz, which could certainly improve its attractiveness as an investment opportunity.
He also added that, in collaboration with the Nicosia District Government Organisation, rainwater retention lakes are also being promoted, which will help with flood control in Engomi, and will also help with the irrigation of the West Nicosia urban park.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
