POLIS CHRYSOCHOUS – After years of standstill and legal disputes, construction work began this week on the traditional campsite of Polis Chrysochous. While heavy machinery clears the site, a burning question arises for locals and regulars: Will the modernization preserve the charm of this special place or will its soul fall victim to the excavators?

For a long time, the fate of the site, which is located directly on the sea, was uncertain. A protracted legal dispute between the municipality and the former tenant had blocked any development. Only an out-of-court settlement in October 2023 cleared the way. Now the investor Costas Myrianthous is taking the helm. With a budget of around 2.5 million euros, the square, which will remain closed until the summer of next year, is to be completely renovated.

Planned modernizations

The condition of the plant was recently desolate. After the closure in 2023, the infrastructure fell into disrepair; illegal campers lived between mountains of garbage and without electricity. The renovation that is now starting provides for comprehensive measures:

The intervention in the characteristic eucalyptus grove in particular is causing criticism. Environmentalists such as Charalambos Theopemptou warn against too radical deforestation of the sometimes unique trees that have shaped the image of the region since colonial times.

For many regulars like Alex Kalimeri, who loved the site for its simplicity and unparalleled sunsets, the sight of the site is painful. She fears that another place of relaxation will have to give way to a profit-oriented building frenzy - similar to other tourist hotspots on the island.

investor and the mayor of Polis, Yiotis Papachristofi, are trying to calm the waves.

Concrete plans are to be published in the next few weeks. The municipality has also imposed strict conditions: If the investor does not comply with the schedule or the maintenance obligations, fines of up to 100,000 euros may be imposed. The lease agreement is long-term and initially runs for 29 years.

Whether the balancing act between modern infrastructure and the preservation of the nostalgic atmosphere will succeed will become clear when the gates reopen next year.

Papachristofi stressed that "the present agreement includes the obligation to maintain the site and carry out the planned modernization works within the established timeframe, with penalties of up to €100,000 for non-compliance."

Under the proposed terms, the operator would manage the site under an initial 29-year lease that could potentially extend for several decades.

Kalimeri reflected on the current changes and was hesitant; he questioned the general direction of development on the island.

"Isn't it enough that they razed the caravans in Akamas to the ground? Isn't it enough that they have also taken over the last remnants of this rock, which we have not yet destroyed with hotels and villas? For God's sake, can't we save anything from the builders?"







Source: CyprusMail.com
Co /Author: Redaktion