On Wednesday evening, Project Green - the agency tasked with implementing the regeneration project in Triq Sant'Anna (St. Anne Street) in Floriana - continued its consultation process with key stakeholders. These include local residents and business owners operating along this prominent street, the agency said Friday.
The first phase of the project aims to return parts of Triq Sant'Anna to the community by transforming the inner carriageway (in the direction of Valletta) into a pedestrian zone. Restoration work will also be carried out on the arcades on both sides of the street (interior and exterior), and a modern lighting system will be installed to highlight the historical architecture of the area.
The consultation meeting was held under the arcades themselves, giving attendees a firsthand look at the proposed transformation. Visual presentations showcased the planned restoration works and how Triq Sant'Anna will appear once the regeneration is complete-greener, more accessible, and welcoming to residents, local businesses, and visitors alike, the agency said.
During the meeting, Project Green officials, led by Chief Operations Officer Perit Beverley Costa, explained that the pedestrianization of the Valletta-bound lane will involve the installation of modular furniture-benches surrounded by greenery-that will provide recreational space while enhancing the street's aesthetic and environmental quality. In addition to the arcade restoration, new paving and sustainable lighting will be introduced to better suit the historical context.
Consultation on this regeneration initiative has been ongoing for several months, with the latest session focused on business owners. Prior to this, the agency engaged with Year 5 and Year 6 students from St George Preca College, who were invited to express their vision for the street through drawings. These creative contributions were also exhibited during the session, where residents showed strong interest in the project.
The purpose of these consultations is to ensure Project Green captures the voices and concerns of all key stakeholders and develops a comprehensive regeneration plan that meets everyone's needs. Project Lead Architect Ruth Cassar Galea emphasised the importance of such dialogue, stating:
"When we meet with and listen to residents, business owners, and the wider community, we gain the insights needed to create a high-quality public space that reflects their realities. What clearly emerged from these meetings is a shared desire-to see the arcades brought back to life."
Project Green CEO Joseph Cuschieri also explained that a detailed traffic impact study is currently underway in collaboration with Transport Malta. This study will inform future phases of the project, ensuring that the shift to a pedestrian-friendly environment is supported by sound technical analysis.
Cuschieri added that the first phase will concentrate on beautifying, restoring, and greening Triq Sant'Anna. Future phases will explore how the street can become more enjoyable and accessible for the public.
"Project Green's ultimate goal is to adopt innovative approaches in the use of open spaces-ensuring they are intelligently designed and truly serve the needs of communities across Malta and Gozo," he said.
The consultation was also attended by representatives of the Floriana Local Council, which has been collaborating with Project Green in recent months.
The Triq Sant'Anna regeneration project is part of a broader portfolio of capital initiatives and community-centered developments designed to ensure that every citizen in Malta and Gozo has access to an open green space within a ten-minute walk. Project Green is currently overseeing more than 120 projects worth a total of €350 million. In the past two years, over 20 open spaces and valley regeneration projects have been launched. In the last eight months alone, the agency has issued 22 calls for tenders valued at approximately €30 million. By the end of this year, around ten additional calls-worth a further €20 million-are expected to be published.