.
We have read with interest the recent report of Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras regarding the town’s finances and the vision that the Mayor and his council has for the town.
We have reported in the past that Larnaca has all the parameters to reap the advantages of its location and facilities.
· It is the only town on the coast in Cyprus with the original development area being a few meters away from the sandy beach with no promenades blocking free access (as in Limassol).
· The Larnaca port has gone through turbulent times over the last 15 years mainly due to the various small local pressure groups halting this project and leaving only one interested party (an Israeli group) to negotiate. As such Limassol is taking over the port activity of Larnaca. This is a major issue and of great value for the town since the port is centrally located and within walking distance from the Phinikoudes promenade, with a direct benefit to the shop owners and local residents.
· It is the only town that has extensive sandy beaches starting from Pyla to Pervolia area.
· Currently it has the lowest property prices in Cyprus, with ample land for future development including the coast.
· Yes, the refinery area is a problem and yet we are still to wait and see what the proposal is for this area (we have made a proposal for it to become an office park and residential properties in high-rise buildings similar to Limassol).
· Unfortunately, the proposed golf course at Tersefanou is not happening and it is up for sale by the Bank of Cyprus – a shame.
· The old airport vacant land is still pending and various ideas which included the Chinese wholesale mall and that of a racing track ended in cancellation again after small pressure group reaction.
· A shopping mall which is proposed on the periphery of the town centre, has met objections, again by small pressure groups.
· The coastal Larnaca-Pyla road which is dangerous for pedestrians in particular is not going ahead because of some commercial interest which have the support of the local authorities (is this true?). This to the detriment of Larnaca as a whole.
· The Chinese have shown some interest in the town centre and a local hotel development, the Radisson Hotel chain (one completed and one under way) is a plus, whereas sales prices of top quality residential units sell at around €8,000/ sqm (mostly Chinese and some Russian clients).
· The revitalization of the old town is under way and in addition to several small boutique hotels and the Ayios Lazaros area upgrading, done by the local authority–interest is increasing.
· The salt lake – It is a joke. Nothing to happen notwithstanding various reports regarding the disturbance of the migrating birds by locals and tourists. A beautiful spot left unexploited.
There are so many things which could have been done but we have come to the conclusion (not necessarily correct 100%) that in the end it is the Larnaca people in general that want their town to remain left behind by the other towns, in development and prosperity.
Whereas Larnaca could have become a new St. Tropez of the eastern Med, it is left behind by its own people (see the promenade project by A. Demetriou which was initially met with fierce objections to now become a jewel of the town. What a shame.
