Who knows if the “South Lido” will return, which was the seaside reference point for an entire portion of the city until the 1960s. It was 1926 when the Royal Veterinary Institute became a university faculty and the Peloritana academy opened a bathing establishment serving students. Forty years later, the first industrial settlements, some even without authorizationturned off the lights in the area and all that remained of that South Lido was the memory of those who have white hair today.
«I had recently become general director of the Municipality – says Mayor Basile – and I remember when Deputy Mayor Mondello brought me the project sheet for the transformation of the former slaughterhouse. Three years later, the start of demolition was added to a broader strategy for that entire area. The one that aims to enhance, also through the Piau, the entire area that goes from the Overpass to Gazzi. The new development of the city can start from the Macello area. A Messina that takes back its territory after having built for decades by clinging to any hill or in places that should have been left in their natural condition.”
Beyond the aggregation center that will arise by 2026 (but the Pnrr calendar could soon have ad hoc developments and extensions) the transformation of that space will be a magical touch for the entire area downstream of via La Farina, for too long considered a “central periphery”. «We are a 5 minute walk from Viale San Martino – says Basile – and have you seen the effect the new Don Blasco had? Supermarkets (and others will be created), shopping centers, professional offices. The new center in place of the slaughterhouse will provide new redevelopment spaces that will be able to attract new investments. The life of that entire neighborhood has really changed, now we need entrepreneurs who believe in it, because the infrastructure and services are already there. With Via Don Blasco practically ready (it will be in spring, but at least 80% of its route is passable, ed.), which connects to two motorway junctions, the station and the port, as well as to the city centre, because it cannot create, for example, a business hotel in that area?” .
But Messina, which is reclaiming its sea, has recently dealt a new blow. Which will lead to the return of another 5 hectares to the city. «With Ferrovie – concludes Basile – we talk very often to prepare the protocol for the Large Workshops area. That area and those warehouses were valued at 20 million euros and we would like Ferrovie not to go away but to continue to believe in Messina and in a different development of that area”. (sun.be.)