THE MAYOR OF LIMASSOL AND RECTOR OF CUT ARE IN CONFLICT - HOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OLD HOSPITAL DIVIDES LIMASSOL - Filenews 27/3 by Ioanna Matziipa
The Mayor of Limassol, Yiannis Armeftis, and the Rector of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) have been in the trenches for a long time, intermittently exchanging caustic announcements. A point of friction is the development at the Second Pole of the University, which includes the area of the old Limassol Hospital. Although the space has been granted to the CUT, the Municipality seeks joint utilization through a single master plan. In fact, the Mayor calls on the Government and other competent local bodies to take initiatives and take a position on the issue, with the aim of not losing this unique opportunity for the city.
For the record, it should be mentioned that by ministerial decision in 2024, the area of the old Hospital was granted for the development of the infrastructure of the CUT and the creation of the School of Health Sciences of the University, as well as the First Technical School of Limassol, which was granted for the building development of the CUT.
The rector of CUT, Professor Panagiotis Zafiris, points out to "F" that the university is proceeding normally with what has already been planned for the construction of modern infrastructure, with the aim of meeting the growing and dynamic needs of the university. He even clarified that the university institution will not enter into any negotiations on the issue and is proceeding with the next steps. In addition, he stressed in a caustic way that any interventions create serious obstacles to the implementation of the university plan.
He also explained that they recently proceeded to conclude a cooperation agreement with ETEK for the conduct of an open architectural competition. As he emphasizes, this tender is a decisive step for the integrated planning of the development of the CUT in the area and the implementation of the necessary infrastructure, with the aim of creating modern, functional and sustainable high-quality facilities.
On the other hand, the Mayor of Limassol, Yiannis Armeftis, in a public statement, addressed an open invitation for cooperation to all competent and involved bodies, the Government, the CUT, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to take a position on the issue, with the aim of not losing this unique opportunity for the city.
On the one hand, Mr. Armeftis supports the decision to utilize the space of the old Hospital and the promotion of an architectural competition by the CUT, stressing that this is an important development for the center of Limassol. On the other hand, he points out that the development of the state plot that hosts the old Hospital should not be dealt with piecemeal. "This state plot is the most critical development reserve in the center of Limassol and its utilization must be done in terms of integrated planning. This piece should not be trisected," he said.
At the same time, it calls on the Government to take initiatives to immediately proceed with a single regulatory planning for the entire region, which includes the area where the old Hospital, the Police, the Post Office, etc. are currently housed.
He asks for a location and presents a proposal
It also calls on the state to reconsider the location of existing functions, in order to free up critical urban space. The mayor goes a step further, citing a specific proposal for the entire area, talking about a unified approach and a common regulatory plan (master plan) of the entire state land east of Leontiou Street, an area of about 44,000 sq.m., with huge development potential of more than 100,000 sq.m.
He also notes that both the CUT and modern public services and infrastructure must be located in an organized complex, with the aim of better serving the citizens. It also proposes the conversion of the existing police station into a modern conference center with a capacity of 4,000 people, which will cover a long-standing need of Limassol.
"As a Municipality, we are ready to work directly with every involved body to promote unified planning, in a way that also satisfies the needs of CUT and at the same time ensures the rational and unified planning of all state land for the benefit of the state and our city," said Mr. Armeftis.
