The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) on Sunday said it is moving ahead with several large-scale projects, particularly those relating to enhancing the landscape of downtown Amman and the Government Departments Complex scheme.
The municipality has appropriated 1,100 square metres of land in the capital to start construction of two major ventures: The Amman Valley Development Project and the Government Departments Complex project, according to the GAM press centre.
"These two projects will bring about significant changes to the capital's landscape," GAM said in a statement sent to The Jordan Times yesterday.However, the projects, valued at JD1 billion, are still under study by the municipality and the government, the statement added.
Although GAM has already started phase one of the Amman Valley Development Project, a GAM official stressed that the municipality is coordinating with the government in order to come up with an execution plan for both projects.
After completing the needed studies, GAM will start to design the projects, then seek out interested investors, according to the GAM statement.Meanwhile, the municipality said it has increased revenues from service fees collected from businesses compared to last year.
Fees from the towers and high-rise areas within the capital reached more than JD80 million in 2009, according to official figures.Last month, the GAM Council endorsed the municipality's 2010 budget with a deficit of almost JD48 million.
According to Amman Mayor Omar Maani, revenues in the 2010 budget will increase by 2 per cent over the figure achieved in 2009.The 2010 budget anticipates more than JD360 million in revenues, according to Maani.
The municipality also is achieving progress in its Jabal Al Qalaa Development Project, the statement added.The site, which houses the Amman Citadel, is one of the oldest areas in the capital and has undergone rehabilitation by GAM, as part of its plans to revive the city centre.
The area will become a focal point for tourists, according to GAM officials.
Last week, Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania visited the site, and the King issued directives to provide Jabal Al Qalaa with the infrastructure services needed to preserve its historical value and upgrade its importance as a tourist attraction.
Source : Jordan Times 2009
