Monday, January 16, 2023

LARNACA - PLANS FOR MUSEUM AND FLOATING CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS

 Filenews 16 January 2023 - by Natasha Christoforou



After the opening of the Larnaka marina to the public, Kition Ocean Holdings, which took over the management from April 1, 2022, also began the project of upgrading the listed dock in which a museum will be created, as well as floating catering establishments.

The start of the works was about two months late, however, the goal, as the CEO of the company, Panos Alexandrou, told "F", is to complete them by the summer, as was originally planned. "The first works have already begun and the next part will begin, after the issuance of a permit by the Ministry of Transport. We will try to speed up the work so that we can finish in June. We want the dock to open by the summer."

According to the design, the floor of the historic dock will be removed and repaired, while new seats, railings and lighting will be installed. In addition, the lighthouse at the end of the pier will be upgraded and a museum of photography and history of the marina and Larnaka will be created at the entrance. Once the dock is completed, mobile kiosks for coffees and delicacies will initially be placed. However, the long-term goal of the company is to create, as Mr. Alexandrou mentioned, four floating kiosks on the right side of the sea and to place tables on the dock.

The work will be done gradually, with the aim of affecting as little as possible the diving schools and boat owners who organize excursions.

For the autumn of 2023, it is also planned to start the major projects of the first phase of the redevelopment project and the port and marina, which will cost €1.2 billion. and is the largest investment at the moment in Cyprus. The work was scheduled for April, however, it will start in September, due to delays that have arisen.

From the moment the first phase of the project starts, according to Mr. Alexandrou, it will take four years to complete it. According to the plan, public space infrastructure and armrests will be built in the marina area. In addition, a road will be created that will connect the coastal pedestrian street of Finikoudes with the roundabout of the port. At the same time, building facilities such as the Port Authority, the Nautical Club, the entrance building to the port, as well as a cruise passenger terminal will be constructed, which will make the city a tourist hub. The major project has been divided into three phases and is expected to be completed in twelve years.