Valletta Plans

Exciting plans have been announced for Valletta in light of the city as a 2018 European City of Culture contender. Ever the eternal optimist, I believe this is the time the promised plans will come to be. Here is a list of projects that have been mentioned in the press as of late.

1. In place of the old Opera House, at the entrance to Valletta, we shall have a Piano designed building to house parliament and cultural spaces.

2. The Palace is to be restored, parliament moved to its new location and the space converted into a museum open to the public.

3. New designs for Piazza San Gorg see it pedestrianised and paved by Christmas 2009.

4. Fort St Elmo is to be converted into a multi-functional development including cultural and leisure activities. Fort will also serve as a passenger terminal in the summer with the building of berths for cruise liners in the harbour below.

5. Evans building (I.D. card offices) will be converted into a hotel and underground car park.

6. The Fish Market and the Ministry of Rural Affairs building on the Waterfront will be converted into a boutique hotel.

7. The Barrakka lift is to be rebuilt connecting the Upper Barrakka to Lascaris Ditch.

8. The Biaggio Steps Examination Centre is to be converted into an interactive fortifications museum.

9. The Breakwater Bridge is to be rebuilt.

10. Fortifications will be restored

11. Paving of parts of Valletta and restoration of buildings

12. Most importantly, I'm looking forward to what Renzo Piano's plans hold for the City Gate entrance.

If there are any other projects that have escaped me, please mention them by adding a comment.