Larnaca is set for a significant transformation, with development projects worth over €130 million planned for the next two years. This comes after the collapse of a €1.2 billion deal for the city’s port and marina redevelopment in 2024.
A highlight of the plans is the establishment of a new public university faculty focused on marine sciences, technology, and sustainable development. The €20 million facility, located near Mackenzie Beach and the old Larnaca airport, will be co-funded by the government and the EU. The project is pending cabinet approval in 2025.
The city’s marina will also see a €30 million facelift, including dredging operations scheduled for 2025. An architectural competition will be held this year to design a yacht club and surrounding landscaping. Construction is set to begin next year, with the Centre of Marine and Maritime Research Innovation (CMMI) temporarily managing the facility until an investor is secured.
Several projects totaling over €20 million are slated for completion this year. These include:
Looking ahead, four additional projects worth €34.6 million will start this year, with completion targeted for 2026. These include a €23 million sustainable urban mobility initiative introducing park-and-ride services and cycling lanes, as well as the renovation of Livadia’s core area (€3.6m) and the historic Agios Ioannis quarter (€8m).
The ongoing transformation of Larnaca’s commercial center is on track, with €13.3 million allocated for upgrades to historic squares and pedestrian zones, expected to wrap up by late 2026. Additionally, the third phase of the Larnaca-Dhekelia road project (€17m) is set to conclude next year.
However, three major projects totaling €18.5 million are facing delays. These include converting the old hospital into a new facility (€10.5m), establishing an Archaeological Park (€4m), and constructing the Salt Lakes Environmental Information Centre (€4m), with work on the latter scheduled to commence in 2027.
Source: in-cyprus.philenews.com