Scheduled improvements to the Phinikoudes strip have begun, with the project due for completion in March 2015 and costing almost half a million.
According to Larnaca Mayor, Andreas Louroutziatis, the facelift will include the repair of any damaged areas of the paved surfaces, a renovation and upgrading of the seafront stage, the sowing of grass along the road towards the beach, and generally adding more greenery to the area.
The project is co-financed by Larnaca Municipality and the Operational Programme for Fisheries 2007-2013, Measure 4.1: Development of Fisheries Areas, included in the Local Programme for Fisheries Areas of Larnaca and Famagusta, which was designed and implemented by the Larnaca District Development Agency (ANETEL).
Measure 4.1: Development of Fisheries Areas is ‘Priority Axis 4’ in the EU Programme for Fisheries 2007-2013 and “aims to the development and improvement of the quality of life in fisheries areas, of which there is proof that the local economy depends on fishing activities”.
The palm tree-lined strip – with its beach and drinking and dining establishments – has always been a popular and defining feature of the town, and remains so, despite the rise of the Mackenzie beach area, which has seen resurgence in the last couple of years.
The strip is officially called Athens Avenue; Phinikoudes comes from the palm trees (phinikes) that line the strip and were planted in the early 1920s under Mayors F. Zanettos and N. Kyriazis. In the early 1990s, the strip was radically changed and designed by famous urban planner Angelos Demetriou.
Although the changes were extensive, the colonial buildings at the start of the promenade (on Europe Square, thus named in honour of the EU) were left intact, and received the Europa Nostra award in 1996 for their conservation. The buildings were built during British Administration in 1879 and consist of the Governor’s Building, the Chief Port Master’s House and Office, the Chief Customs Officer’s Residence and Office, and colonial port warehouses. They now house various municipal services and arts. The sculpture of ‘Seagulls in Flight’ that graces the fountain of Europe Square was also constructed in 1996.
Across the road, the beachside of Phinikoudes begins with the quaint marina, and offers organised facilities for the beach, as well as kiosks and ice cream stands. Around halfway, the Seafront Stage (one of the areas to be improved under the works) is located on the sands and used for free performances all year round. In June it is the central stage for the Festival of the Flood (Kataklysmos), which features talent shows and entertainment, whilst in the winter months, it is the scene for Musical Sundays, with different entertainment every Sunday morning.
The strip opposite the beach is lined with a mix of cafes, bars and restaurants and runs parallel to the town centre, which is the main shopping area of Larnaca. Phinikoudes then culminates at the new pier and square by the grand Mediaeval Fort, with the coast continuing through the new Piale Pasha sea road, onwards to the Mackenzie beach area.
cyprus weekly
Larnaca facelift
