Public works at the Municipal Parking lot on Ermou Street in the heart of Larnaca kicked off yesterday morning. The area, which housed the Larnaca Municipal Market from 1996 up until last weekend, hosted the outdoor market of farmers from the Larnaca and Famagusta regions every Saturday.
As from Monday 24 September, the area will be given to the contractor who has undertaken the construction of the new Larnaca Municipal Market, the first phase of which is expected to be completed in approximately two years. Speaking to Fileleftheros Newspaper, the mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, revealed what is about to change in the heart of the city. Due to the extent of the project, significant consequences are to be expected.
As from today, or at the latest by tomorrow, the parking area will be closed, a fact that must be taken into consideration by those heading to the city centre.
According to the mayor, new parking spaces in the centre of town will soon be announced. This will cover, at least, a significant part of the lost of parking spaces in the Municipal Market area. Mr. Vyra also said that drivers will now be able to use the open space at the Zouchouri Square, next to the Turkish Cypriot Market, which has already been cleaned and prepared for the purpose. In addition, the multi-storey car park, next to the Ayios Lazaros Square will also be available. When necessary (during festivities, etc.) the port authority’s parking lot, near the Larnaca Social Insurance offices will also be made available.
The outdoor market which takes place every Saturday will be held on the same day and hours, on the Zouchouri Sqaure and will occupy part of the parking spaces for this occasion only. In the coming months, when landscaping works will begin at Zouchouri Square, the outdoor market will be moved elsewhere, in a location which will be decided upon at a later stage.
As the Mayor of Larnaca said, when the building of the new Municipal Market will be completed, the outdoor market will return to the same area seen as the planning of the new building has foreseen the infrastructure needed for the market.
“Beyond that, there will of course be some inconvenience, but we are open to suggestions and remarks,” said Mr. Vyras. He also said that he would personally go to the centre often in order to have a clear understanding of the situation as well as to get in touch with the centre’s residents.
