River Association: Press release on the meeting with the Municipal Authority

Read the press release issued by the Cultural Association of Potamos Kythera after the meeting - discussion that the Board had with the Municipal Authority.

LANDSCAPING CULTURAL RIVER CLUB OF KYTHERA

Potamos Kythera, 80200

Email: politistikospotamou@gmail.com

Press Release

9.9.2022

Meeting - Discussion with the Municipal Authority on issues concerning the River

On Sunday 18.9.2022 a meeting of the Board of Directors of our Association took place with the Municipal Authority, following a positive response from the Municipal Authority to a request of our Association. Attached is the letter summarizing our requests (following the relevant mandate of our recent General Assembly)

The meeting was attended by the Mayor Mr. Harhalakis, and the Deputy Mayors Mr. Sougiannis and Zantiotis from the Municipal Authority and present in Kythira members of the Board (Stavros Megalokonomos, Spyros Michalakakis, Vasiliki Fardouli, Katerina Lambraki and Dimitris Kontoleon)

From the Association's side, the will to cooperate with the Municipality in the effort for the regeneration of our village was made clear. This will, as confirmed by the Municipal Authority, is mutual.

Below are the answers on each item in the order discussed, one that is important and the commitment of the Municipal Authority on each issue and the time horizon.

The Board of the Association will proceed to hold discussions with the residents and professionals of the Municipal District in order to evaluate the responses received from the Municipal Authority.

1. (1.2) Urban / Spatial planning

Recognizing the need for drastic improvement of the River in this area, the Mayor informed us that the competition has been held and the formulation of the Local Urban Plan for Kythera (on the basis of the existing and incomplete General Urban Plan) has begun.

The expected benefits are the formulation of settlement boundaries (which the River does not have, which creates huge problems in its development), building conditions, uses, delimitation of streams, etc.). It will also form the basis for the expansion of the city plan that now exists only for the centre.

The time horizon is approximately 18 months and it is the City's commitment to have broad discussion and consultation as proposals for the plan are formulated.

It was suggested (and we will consider it) the possibility of hiring a technical consultant of the Association for the best contribution to the relevant process.

2 (1.3) River Theatre

The studies for the development of the Theatre and the surrounding area have been completed (715 thousand Euros) and are funded by the NSRF. The project was submitted as an IPI (Integrated Spatial Investments) managed by the Region's CIP.

The notice for construction is expected by March. .

It will be followed by the classical procedure for the licensing of operation by the Ministry of Culture

Notes: The study will be posted on the City's website later this month. We will follow up and update it

3. (1.4) River Stadium

The issue is at an advanced stage and the signing (together with the stadium in Frilingianika) of the construction contract is expected by the end of October.

The Municipal Authority appealed for the contribution of the club in the direction of the reactivation of the AOP (Athletic Club of Potamos), since it will play a special role in the operation and exploitation of the stadium. Our club will take the initiative in this direction.

Note: The issue of the basketball court was raised. It appears that there are issues in relation to the forestry and we will come back to you.

4. (1.5) Urban School

Perhaps the most mature project funded by the Leader programme. It has been selected, after a thorough tender, by the developer and the contract is expected to be signed by 20.10.22. It is estimated that the Building Permit will take 6-8 months at which time the process of interventions will begin.

(3.2) Bazaar

So far 9 licences have been granted and two more are pending. The process is ongoing. At the same time, a contract has been awarded for the supply of stalls that will give a better aesthetic and functional image to the bazaar. The provision of water and associated drainage as per the regulation is awaited.

In the discussion, the issue of participation in the bazaar of local craftsmen was raised.It is a matter that the Municipality is studying and a proposal is being formulated for the possible configuration of a similar, separate space in Potamos (in the area of the now unused square (Pharmacy / Protopsaltis) especially for a craft bazaar in the context of the general activity of the Sunday bazaar.

6. (3.5) River services

The upgrading of the ground floor of the Community Hall is completed for the relocation of the KEP and the creation of a display area for a copy of the Antikythera mechanism.

The club was asked to house the sculpture «Dancer» by Emmanuel Kavakos, which the club is buying, as we believe that the space is ideal in terms of visitor accessibility and security.

The issue of housing the EEPKA in the River was stated to be not legally possible because it must, by law, be in the administrative center of the Country.

7. (2 and 3.3) River regeneration, traffic etc.

7.1 On the redevelopment issue, the consultants are expected to come in October and their proposals will be put out to public consultation so that the necessary changes can be made. The design in any case will be approved by the Central Architectural Council (CAC). Licensing is expected in about 1 year

It is a fact that the initial study has a limited space (only the centre) but the Municipality is committed to its expansion (in line with urban developments see above) directly

It should be noted that

Α. Part of the redevelopment is the undergrounding of the networks (estimated cost 700k-1 million) which was specifically requested by the club.

Β. The City stated that it concurs with the comments regarding the character of the River as a center of multi-faceted activity (see Press Release 7/22/22/22).

7.2 Access to parking - temporary pedestrianisation etc.

The temporary pedestrianisation (Bazaar, evenings in summer) is related to the creation of an alternative second passage to the parking lot (in combination with its possible extension).

A number of routes have been explored for second entry. A proposal has currently been formulated with the agreement of almost all parties involved and there is only one property outstanding which it is hoped will be resolved soon.

At the same time, possibilities for a significant expansion of the site are under consideration.

8. (1.1) Sanitation

It is the most difficult issue facing the River, given that, the existing study has a problem with the proposed final receptor. We note that the issue is biological treatment of the wastewater (since there is a sewer system).

In the study, there was a commitment (AEPO) for a receptor after the biological one in a stream, but this is absolutely impossible legally / environmentally because the stream is not a continuous flow. So another solution is being sought (despite the great difficulties of financing).

The solution that has been chosen is a single study/construction of a tertiary biological treatment plant with a funding request to the Ministry of Finance. The study will be integrated into an integrated water resources management plan with provision for the use of the tertiary treated waste for either agricultural crops or for enhancement of the water table (most likely in combination).

There is optimism that this is possible but it is a project that will take time. And there is a need to extend the network to areas that are currently not covered (areas such as Melitianika, Trifyllianika and on the main road to the plains, etc.).

As this is perhaps the most critical/immediate issue the Association will monitor it closely, possibly with the input of a specialist consultant.

Our aim is to discuss the above with our members, local residents and business people as well as with River Collectives and come back. In the meantime we will stay close to the developments and timelines listed above.

Finally, it should be mentioned that no members of the Local Council attended this meeting, although we would like to believe that they had been informed by the Municipal Authority.

Cultural - Recreational Association of Potamos

September 2022