“We are starting the recovery of 530 decares of West Park, along with a complete overhaul of the main entrance. The project includes also restoration of the main alleys with new pavements, the rock-garden with water area, the dry fountain, the flower exhibition and the rose garden”, said the Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova, who, together with Deputy Minister, Denitsa Nikolova, signed a contract in the presence of the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Nikolay Nankov. The project gets BGN 8.5 million from the Operational Program "Regions in Growth" 2014-2020 and its total value is about BGN 10 million.

Minister Nankov reminded that this is the third contract within the implementation of the investment program of Sofia Municipality under OPRD, totalling more than BGN 230 million, after the integrated urban transport project and the urban regeneration project. He added that the signing of the contracts for renovation of the educational infrastructure and of the social and cultural infrastructure in Sofia is forthcoming.

Mayor Fandakova said also that the project envisages opening of an entrance to Lyulin district. All activities are planned to preserve the nature of the park with minimum interference in the green areas. Irrigation system, video surveillance and lighting will be built. A special biking trail is designed to connect with the city's cycle paths. The deadline for completion is 10 months. “Our aim is to work intensely in the summer and the fall months in order to mark a significant progress”, Fandakova pointed out.

“The modernization and development of green systems is one of the main measures to improve the cleanliness of the ambient air in Sofia”, said Mayor Yordanka Fandakova. She announced that this year would begin the second stage of the reconstruction of the North Park and the entrance of the South Park to “Gotse Delchev” Blvd. We continue with the construction of new parks - the first stage of Vartopo Park in Mladost and the expansion of Vazrazhdane Park.

“We expect full mobilization of the programme beneficiaries, as the achievement of milestone objectives by the end of the year is crucial”, said Deputy Minister and Head of the OPRD Managing Authority, Denitsa Nikolova.

Photographer: Geo Kalev