08-03-2010: “City council approves revised twin urban regeneration project”

Athens Mayor Nikitas
Kaklamanis described as positive the Environment, Energy and Climate Change
Ministry's new amendments concerning the twin urban regeneration project,
during today's Athens City Council meeting. He noted the following:

• In accordance with the relevant Council of State decision,
  the total area of construction is reduced by 66,000 sq m and the amount of
  greenery increased by 30,000 sq m.
• The total area of planned construction is considerably
  smaller than the area occupied by legally-constructed buildings that existed
  before the urban regeneration project (ETMA).
• It provides for larger, autonomous
  building facilities for the Panathinaikos Sports Club - Amateur Division as
  well as the creation of a park on Alexandras
  Avenue.
• A more complete and urgent presidential decree, within the
  context of the legal amendments, ensures the immediate commencement of works in
  the twin urban regeneration project zone (approximately 20 hectares) and the
  immediate adaptation and implementation of the city plan in Elaionas as a whole
  (210 hectares).
• In a period of intense economic frugality, the state and
  municipal budgets do not face additional financial burden (apart from the initial
  40 million euros in state funding) for land acquisition.
• In a time of economic crisis, with
  rising unemployment particularly in the construction sector: 

  a. Some
  3,000 jobs will be created through private investment as a result of the works
  that will take place in the twin urban regeneration project zone in Votanikos.

  b. Public
  infrastructure works have recommenced (Phase A and B of works carried out by
  the Transport Infrastructure and Networks Ministry), creating further jobs.

  c. New jobs
  are being created by infrastructure and greenery projects which the
  Municipality can begin immediately in Elaionas, utilising monetary
  contributions and the European Investment Bank investment loan. 

Mayor
Kaklamanis noted that, considering the fact that the City of Athens is not a
commercial enterprise but operates for the good of the city on an
environmental, social and economic level, the City Council was invited to
resolve that: "it views as positive the way in which the Environment, Energy
and Climate Change Ministry has decided to move forward with the twin urban
regeneration project in terms of planning and procedure.

The City of Athens, in collaboration with the
Environment, Energy and Climate Change Ministry, will seek to speed up the
procedure to ensure the immediate start of works on the revised twin urban
regeneration project".

A majority of City Council approved
the proposal with 32 votes in favour, 7 against, 3 abstentions and two absent.