Greece’s Central Archaeological Council (KAS) has decided to investigate residents’ complaints that construction plans for two hotels south of the Acropolis in Athens violate height rules and obstruct the view on the monument.
In an unanimous decision laste on Tuesday, the KAS members said that teams will be sent next Monday to examine the building sites in question.
One of the constructions is located at the corner of Misaraliotou and Tsami Karatasi streets in Koukaki and a second on the corner of the Syggrou Avenue side road and Falirou Street in Makrygianni.
Ten days ago, area residents and civic societies made their objections to the constructions loud by launching an online petition to stop the two constructions, one for a 10-story hotel and one for a 9-story one.Within a week the petition collected more than 24,000 signatures.
The construction of the two buildings, with a height of 37 meters and 31.70 meters respectively, will create a “wall” around the Acropolis, the locals complained.
The issue gained huge publicity in Greece and the locals’ protest reached also the ears of ministers’ in charge.
The Culture Ministry took immediate action to investigate the issue together with the Environment and Interior Ministries.
Also on Tuesday, the Environment Ministry ordered the immediate investigation on the license of 10-story hotel and the suspension of new building licenses around the Acropolis.
A law of 2012, rose the height of the buildings in the area to 31 meters from 27. – I have no idea whether the change was a lenders’ choice in an effort to attract as many investments as possible in the most touristic area in Athens, have money poured into state’s cash registers and finally have their loans paid back.
