The Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias, met with Peristeri Mayor Andreas Pahatouridis and Metropolitan Gregory during his visit to the city, where he was briefed on ongoing projects and conducted an on-site inspection of the Arts Center currently under construction.
As noted in a related announcement, the visit is part of the regional governor’s series of direct meetings with the 66 municipalities of the Athens Basin, “as part of a systematic effort to communicate directly with local communities and identify their needs, with the aim of further upgrading infrastructure and enhancing the city’s functionality”.
During the meeting with Mr. Pahatouridis, emphasis was placed on accelerating completion procedures, effectively utilizing available resources, and coordinating the involved agencies, so that the projects can proceed on schedule, while a series of new interventions to follow were also examined.
At the Metropolis of Peristeri, Mr. Hardalias was welcomed and given a tour of the building by Metropolitan Gregory. During their discussion, they reaffirmed the ongoing and substantive cooperation between the Metropolis, the Region, and the Municipality, with the common goal of strengthening social initiatives to support vulnerable groups.
The Regional Governor’s visit concluded with an on-site inspection of the construction site for the new West Attica Arts Center, with a total area of 3,886 square meters, which will contribute to the cultural revitalization of the entire region. Work is progressing according to schedule, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The project involves the construction of a modern cultural space on the site of the former “Xylotechnia,” with the old theater giving way to a new one, designed in accordance with contemporary architectural and functional standards, in order to fully meet the needs of a versatile cultural space, as in addition to theatrical performances, it will also be able to be used for conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and other cultural and social events.
The same announcement states that the 280-seat theater will include, among other things, a lobby for audience members, actors, and staff, an information desk and ticket office, a dressing room area, a refreshment area with supporting storage spaces, modern restroom facilities, a stage with the necessary technical infrastructure, a plaza and balcony, loading and unloading areas and storage for stage sets, dressing rooms, as well as a specially designed lighting and sound control room. Additionally, an underground parking garage is planned, while existing buildings housing municipal services will be preserved and integrated into the site’s design.
The project, with a budget of 12,070000 euros is part of the Attica Regional Development Program 2021-2025 and is funded by the national component of the Public Investment Development Program, with the Municipality of Peristeri as the beneficiary andthe Municipality of Peristeri as the beneficiary and implementing body of the project.
In subsequent remarks, Regional Governor N. Hardalias referred to the Regional Authority’s strategic goal of balanced development and the effort to ensure a “minimum level of basic infrastructure for all,” and especially for “neighborhoods that have been left behind.”
“There cannot be urbanized areas with large populations that lack basic infrastructure, such as sewage systems, water supply, and other essential services,”, he pointed out, adding that such areas often experience increased crime or, more generally, high levels of delinquency, “phenomena that are not isolated from living conditions.” Therefore, that is precisely where “we must focus, on improving the conditions our fellow citizens face every day”.
Referring to Peristeri, the second-largest city in Attica after Athens, Mr. Hardalias noted: “It has unique characteristics, remaining a quintessentially working-class neighborhood. That is why we are focusing on this specific area. Every euro we allocate as a Region makes a tangible difference in the daily lives of citizens and in improving conditions for all residents.”
For his part, Mayor Andreas Pahatouridis, referring to the Municipality’s relationship with the Region as well as that with the regional governor, remarked: “Nikos Hardalias and I began our political journey in local government together in 2002, and over all these years I have witnessed firsthand his consistency, methodical approach, and effectiveness. In every position of responsibility he takes on, he leaves his own distinct mark. The Region of Attica stands by our side at all times, actively supporting the Municipality of Peristeri through the implementation of major infrastructure projects that upgrade the city and improve the daily lives of its residents. As is the case now, with the construction of the “Xylotechnia,” which is of particular importance for the cultural development of our region. Our collaboration is exemplary, and I am certain that we have much more to accomplish together in the future, for the benefit of our residents.”
