University and Chamber react to Limassol Mayor’s Park-and-Ride plans

Both the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT-TEPAK) and the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry have reacted to comments by Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis proposing the area once housing the city’s hospital would be used for a Park-and-Ride scheme instead of being utilised by CUT as originally planned.

The area had been earmarked for CUT's 'Second Pole' of Development, in which the construction of a large building complex for the School of Health Sciences is planned.

Weighing in on the issue, the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued an announcement calling on the university to begin work on its Second Pole as soon as possible to avoid further delay.

Expressing the Chamber’s concern, an announcement called on CUT, “to immediately move ahead with the Second Pole Development Plan in the area of the old hospital and Second Technical School, as decided by the state during CUT’s establishment and the handing over of which was confirmed in a recent Cabinet meeting on 7 February 2024.”

“We disagree with the creation of a Park-and-Ride facility in the area of the old hospital, a space that has already been handed over to CUT for its developmental needs,” the Chamber’s announcement continued.

The Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that any further delay in the development of the Second Pole would create “serious and negative consequences on the University’s development and the development of Limassol in general.”

CUT Board President Costas Gatalariotis has sent a letter to the Minister of Education criticizing the new Mayor’s proposal.

In comments to Kanali 6, Galatariotis described the Mayor’s comments as “unfortunate” and calrified that the matter had yet to be discussed by the university’s Board.

He also suggested that the Mayor did not have the jurisdiction to discuss or negotiate land that had been given to CUT for another purpose and turn into a Park-and-Ride location instead.

Galatariotis expressed concern that further discussion on this matter would delay the development of CUT’s Second Pole and called on the municipality to stand by the university’s effort.