Works have started to change the Ledra and Onasagorou pedestrian streets in Nicosia, with the first phase covering the improvement of facades on 89 buildings along Ledra Street.
A second phase will follow with facade works on another 51 buildings, while the third phase remains the most difficult part of the project, as it includes upgrading services and the road surface of the pedestrian streets.
Philnews visited the Ledra Street works and spoke to Nicosia deputy mayor Chrysanthos Fakas, who explained the process and the phases of the project.
Fakas said the first phase had begun and would be limited to the facades of the buildings.
The first phase includes works on building facades along the two pedestrian streets, aiming to improve the area’s appearance and preserve its architectural character. The works are expected to cover about 29,500 square metres of building facades over a length of about two kilometres.
The contract is worth €3,442,179.53 plus VAT, while the project is expected to be completed in 18 months.
The second phase, covering another 51 buildings and the improvement of facades around Onasagorou Street, is expected to start in the coming months and last about 12 months.
Works in both phases include repairs to carved stone, plastered surfaces and concrete on balconies, maintenance or replacement of wooden and metal frames, installation of new gutters, replacement of shop signs and tidying of cables and wires on building facades.
Fakas said the project was very difficult because central Nicosia has many visitors and shopkeepers, and the municipality had made extensive, coordinated efforts with the contractor to keep the area operating and accessible to the public.
“The area will remain fully accessible throughout the works, as the works are limited only to the facades,” he said.
The third phase will include upgrading services and the road surface of Ledra and Onasagorou streets, meaning roadworks will be carried out.
Fakas said the Nicosia municipality had announced and clarified that the third phase would proceed after consultation and dialogue with those affected, so the scope and method of the works could be determined.
“The aim of the Nicosia municipality is to create a commercial, attractive economic centre in the city and highlight its cultural and historical heritage,” Fakas said.
The project is part of the programme to revitalise areas along the Green Line.
Fresh life has also been given to Konstantinou Palaiologou Street, from the OXI area to Eleftheria Square, after the completion of works under the “Redevelopment of the Internal Perimeter Moat Arc – Phase A” project.
Philnews photographs show works were carried out both outside the moat and inside it, above the bastion. The project also included facade improvements, with buildings aesthetically upgraded through refurbishment and the removal and installation of new uniform signs.
