Contracts for the construction works to revamp Platia Iroon (Heroes' Square) and its surrounding streets were signed Monday morning. The work is expected to begin at the end of October and be completed within 18 months. "We are giving the space back to pedestrians and emphasizing accessibility," stated Limassol Mayor Giannis Armeftis.

The project, with a budget of €3.9 million plus VAT, is part of the Thalia 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy Program, co-financed by the EU. The contracts were signed by Mayor Giannis Armeftis and Christos Christou on behalf of An. Christou Constructions.

According to Giannis Armeftis, the square will be enhanced with a focus on accessibility and reduced vehicle usage, and an exhibition space will be created in the basement of the monument.

"Essentially, the square is being returned to pedestrians, and there will be better connectivity with the Rialto Theatre to facilitate outdoor events," he added.

As per the design, the roads north and south of the square, Andrea Drousiotis and Pavlou Mela, will be used for vehicle traffic daily until the afternoon, after which they will become pedestrian zones. Vasileiou Makedonos and Eleni Paleologina streets, to the west and east of the square, will be redesigned as pedestrian zones with designated areas for outdoor dining at nearby restaurants.

Mayor Armeftis emphasized that this project is part of a broader plan to revamp the area east of Anexartisias Street. "As a municipality, we are proceeding with proposals and plans for the rest of the area, up to the public garden," he said.

Regarding plans to pedestrianize Anexartisias Street under the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, Armeftis stated that the proposals will be presented after the summer holidays. "Anexartisias Street is expected to become a pedestrian zone with only small buses allowed," he said, adding that a transitional phase could include one-way traffic heading north under certain conditions.

"We want a center with fewer cars, and we need to decentralize, either outside the city center or at its borders," he continued. Commenting on the shopkeepers' reactions to the one-way proposal for Anexartisias Street, he said consultations have taken place, and "our positions are clear: we want fewer cars, more greenery, and better accessibility in the city center."

During a recent visit by the Minister of Transport to the Limassol Municipality, the municipal authority presented a proposal to use space at the old hospital as a Park & Ride facility to serve the needs of both the city center and the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT).

Relevant letters have already been sent to the Ministry of Health, which oversees the area. "I believe that with some adjustments and the demolition of small buildings, this space could benefit the city and the university's second development hub," he concluded.