Larnaca, Cyprus. Deputy mayor Iasonas Iasonides said a new town hall planned for Larnaca will reflect the city’s role as European capital of culture in 2030. He said the municipality will fund the project by selling a plot of land it owns on Hermes street.
Funding and approval process
Iasonides told the Cyprus News Agency that the municipality intends to sell the Hermes street plot to finance construction of a new town hall on the site of the old Larnaca hospital. He said that once a successful bidder is found, the necessary documents will be sent to the central government for final approval of the sale.
Conversion of the old hospital
He said proceeds from the sale will be used to assign the renovation of the old Larnaca hospital to transform it into a new town hall, describing the plan as decades old and of vital importance for the town.
Cost, services, and timeline
Iasonides said the Larnaca municipal council will decide on the bidder to implement the project, which is estimated to cost around €8.7 million plus value added tax. He added that once the new town hall is finished, municipal services currently provided at the existing town hall on Athens avenue opposite Finikoudes beach will be transferred to the new building.
He said the renovation will make proper use of a space of historical value, noting the buildings are of architectural and cultural interest and are linked to residents’ lives and experiences. He said the municipality aims to create a functional and efficient town hall that will meet the town’s requirements and image and be worthy of the European capital of culture title.
The contractor is set to be announced in August, with construction expected to take 15 months, and completion expected by the beginning of 2028.
Listed building grant
Iasonides said that because the old hospital is a listed building, the municipality will be entitled to receive a grant from the state.
What do you think about Larnaca’s plan to fund the new town hall through the sale of municipal land?
