Filenews 6 May 2021 - by Vasileou
The promise made by the Archbishop with regard to the restoration of the listed buildings demolished by his instructions on 1 February 2021 has not yet been fulfilled since so far no needle has been stuck, as people who are monitoring the development of the whole case claim.
In fact, they told "F" that in addition to being hampered in the reconstruction of the buildings, at the same time the work of completing the cathedral continues, with staff active in various places. The listed buildings have been fenced off and no work is being carried out, as we saw yesterday during our on-site visit and as shown by relevant photographs.
The other aspect of concern concerns the intention to indirectly abolish the gallery and convert it into a gallery/café. As we have been told in this connection, the Archbishop is seeking the removal of some of the walls of a building that was demolished (and within the walls) so that the space can be converted into an area which is used after religious ceremonies. What is indicated is that in the Archdiocese, which is next to the cathedral, there is already an area which could be used. However, anyone who visits the area and sees up close the size and magnificence of the temple, may realize that the three preserved buildings were too humble to be an accompaniment to the temple.
After the preserved buildings were demolished, the only work carried out was the cleaning of the site from the demolition materials, the separation of the materials that fell from the action of the bulldozer, etc., without any start of restoration work.
Yesterday, after our visit, we were told that it is only a matter of time before the restoration work begins.
The municipal engineer, Koula Ioannou, told "F" that it had been said that work would start around the end of April but it appears that the preparation of the study was delayed by about two weeks and the start of the work would follow. "To my knowledge, the study has been submitted to project coordinator Athena Aristotelous and after its approval restoration work will begin," he added.
Work will begin on the stone building in the southern part (to the side of the mansion of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios), which did not suffer the same extent of damage as the other two listed houses.
Based on the planning, they would remove the risk of the buildings, support them, sort the materials, assess the situation as it was and proceed with the studies.
If the walls fell, why should they be re-built?
Regarding the change in the use of one building, the municipal engineer said that in the space that was programmed to form a gallery and which consisted of small rooms, the Archbishop wants to create larger openings because he wants to use it as an area to drink something after the church. It is a three-room (separation into three spaces) and he asked them to expand the door so that it would appear as a single space.
The municipality's engineer estimated that the restoration works would be completed one year from the day they began.
The relevant permits issued in the context of the construction of the cathedral included the maintenance of the preserved buildings and concerned "Complex development in the building block of the complex of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus, in the Within the Walls City for:
1. Construction of a cathedral over two underground parking spaces for which a building permit has already been issued.
2. Change of use of the listed building (part 94) from residence to office.
3. Change of use of the listed building (piece No. 95) from residence to publishing shop and canteen.
4. Change of use of the listed building (part 93 from residence to museum/gallery.
5. Total restoration and maintenance of the above preserved buildings.
6. Remodelling the environment'.
It is noted that parts of the listed buildings had been deemed dangerous by the competent department of the municipality and the Archdiocese was asked to support them from June 2019, although they were not classified as high risk.
