A first chapter in the Zanklon affair is finally closing, the real estate operation which involves the construction of three student residences in the city. The city council approved the first of the three projects, the one called “Policlinico”, for 504 beds in Minissale, in 6-storey buildings (instead of the 5 envisaged by the Prg, hence the need for an urban planning exemption by the Council). The approval came thanks to the 9 favorable votes of the South calls North groups, all motivated by councilor Francesco Cipolla. The councilors present from the Pd, Fratelli d’Italia and Ora Sicilia were against it, while the Lega, Forza Italia, DC and Villari del Misto abstained.
The issues raised were those that emerged in recent weeks: the urban planning burden in an area that is already often in crisis, the twelve-year restriction considered insufficient, the high cost of the expected fees. For South calls North, however, this project clearly distinguishes itself from the others, for four main reasons: “The additional volume is more limited; the increase in height is limited to a single floor; the proximity to the university center is an objective and non-questionable fact; the integration with the urban context and with services is more linear and sustainable”. The Council’s work will continue for the two most controversial projects, “Centro” (255 beds in via Catania) and “Archimede” (1,080 beds behind the high school in viale Regina Margherita).