Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, together with Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett, inaugurated the regenerated Vittoriosa Waterfront yesterday evening, a government project involving a Lm450,000 investment.
The project incorporated landscaping and marble paving of the area between Admirality Gate and the Menqa area close to Fort St Angelo.
In his address he gave during the inauguration, Minister Mugliett said that the idea to regenerate the Cottonera area had come into play in the mid-90s and the original notion was to regenerate the whole waterfront from Vittoriosa to Cospicua on the other side of the harbour.
This project was aimed at improving the surroundings in the area, create new recreation zones and improve existing ones, while generating commercial activity in a way that the economy in the Cottonera area would be given a push forward.
While regeneration is not something that takes place overnight, Mr Mugliett declared that regeneration is actually taking place, eight years after the government signed contracts with the consortia.
The minister said regeneration will continue and the project includes the opening of a health club and spa at Fort St Angelo, the construction of a boutique hotel and the completion of the Dock No. 1 project.
The scope of the completed Vittoriosa Waterfront landscaping project was to bring together and enhance the various elements that have established themselves along the historic waterfront.
These include the opening of the Casino di Venezia and the Grand Harbour Marina, the luxurious apartments close to Fort St Angelo, the exhibitions at the Caraffa warehouses and the various catering outlets and offices that have been set up at the Old Treasury Building, next door to the Maritime Museum.
Other catering and retail outlets will be opening up along the waterfront in the coming days. Mr Mugliett expressed his satisfaction that these elements are generating employment opportunities for Cottonera residents in particular. He said his ministry was responsible for the design and management of the project, as well as the coordination of the four consortia involved in this project.
Mr Mugliett said the ministry also collaborated with the various service corporations for an improved infrastructure of the services passing along the waterfront, which are now all hidden below the pavement.
The waterfront will be adorned with three works of art, the first of which was unveiled during yesterday’s activity. This is a steel sculpture by local artist Charles Sammut, which represents the government’s original idea to transform the waterfront into a showcase for local art and culture.
Yesterday’s inauguration kicked off with a festive activity for all the family just before 6pm. The activity included the participation of a number of street entertainers including stilt walkers, jugglers, human statues, a balloon artist, a face painter and a run-around magician.
A number of harbour tours were also available during the activity and the traditional barklori were brought back to life as they transported people between Valletta and Senglea.
Following the inauguration, the Police Band entertained guests for a good two hours, while the event also saw the participation of a number of popular local singers.
The activity was sponsored by the Treasury Development Co. Ltd, the Cottonera Waterfront Group, Casino di Venezia and Schembri Barbros.