Shop owners and residents of Nicosia’s historic center are voicing their opposition to the area’s redevelopment plan, rejecting it “categorically,” as stated in an announcement by the Committee of Shop Owners, Residents, and Owners of Small Businesses and Properties in the Pedestrian Zone of Nicosia’s Historic Center.

The statement notes that the design presented by the Municipality’s Technical Department “does not constitute a basis for discussion” and that the redevelopment should make the capital’s historic center “a realistically high-quality option for living, recreation, strolling, and shopping.” They also note that the available funding is limited, pointing out that the budget for the area’s redevelopment “is roughly half the cost of a parking garage.”

For his part, Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Pruntzos, when asked by KYPE to comment on the reactions, expressed the view that they are premature, noting that the project’s planning includes public consultations, during which the project’s plans and timelines will be presented, while also providing an opportunity for residents and business owners in the area to express and have their views heard.

The business owners, residents, and owners of small businesses and properties in the area note that they are calling for “a comprehensive, meaningful, and genuine revitalization of our neighborhood,” with an adequate budget, “which will ensure the protection of our businesses and our quality of life, both during the construction projects and after their completion,” as they state in the announcement.

Regarding the funding announced at the City Council meeting on June 18, 2026, they say it is limited and does not meet actual needs. They also point out that larger sums are being allocated to other projects, such as the Archaeological Museum, the municipal parking lot on Omirou Avenue, Trikoupi Street, and Konstantinou Palaiologou Street.

“Furthermore, we have been informed that the Municipality intends to exclude the side streets east of Onasagorou and west of Ledra from the plan, excluding important pedestrian streets such as Ippokratous Street, where the Leventis Museum is located,” the protesters note in their statement.

In this context, they are calling for specialized consultants to design the project, transparency in the consultation process, a tenfold increase in the budget, financial guarantees for compensation, and institutionalized financial support for shop owners, urban green spaces, and strict timelines.

For his part, the Mayor of Nicosia told CNA that the public discussions on the project are intended to gather input before the final call for bids is issued. He also noted that the dates for the dialogue meetings on the four topics related to the project will be announced within the next few weeks.

When asked about the reactions to the announced budget, Mr. Pruntzos said that the amount of 10.8 million euros is not limited to work on building facades and sidewalks, while noting that the AHK and EOA have separate budgets for electrification and flood control projects, respectively.