Revised plans for Nicosia’s Eleftheria Square in public view

The Nicosia Municipality has put in public display the revised plans for the capital’s Eleftheria Square, as conceived by international award-winner Zaha Hadid. Tender offers are expected next summer and construction to be completed by mid-2012, with 50% of the funding from the EU, 45% from the Cyprus government and 5% from the city’s own budget.
The new plans, that will remain for public view at the Town Hall until December 15, have incorporate the archaeological finds and the conditions set by the Department of Antiquities.
The revisions to Hadid’s previous plans include a wider gap of 8m between the square and the Venetian walls, facilities in the moat (cafes, kiosks, children’s playground, a small theatre, information office and public WCs), addition of 120 trees (more than before) and ponds, wider steps to Ledra and Onossagora streets with elevators for the physically handicapped, a 2-storey parking space on Homer Ave. for 150 cars.