Revamp of two major squares in downtown Budapest starts

Two major squares in downtown Budapest, Vörösmarty and Podmaniczky squares, will be completely revamped in a project supported jointly by the government and the local district council, the mayor of the fifth district said on Wednesday.

The district council is making every effort to create a downtown for the 21st century, Péter Szentgyörgyvölgyi told a press conference.

Work started on Jan. 7 and the projects are planned to be completed by the end of the summer, he added.

The over 30 year-old concrete pavement on Vörösmarty Square will be replaced with natural stone slabs, new lighting will be installed and all street furniture will be replaced, he said. The square will be able to better serve the fairs and cultural events that it often hosts, he added.

The area around Vörösmarty Square will also be involved in the revamp, including a part of Deák Ferenc Street, as well as Vigadó Street and Harmincad Street, he said. Green surfaces in the square will increase by 7 percent and a total of 15 trees will be planted in the square and the adjoining streets, he added.

Green surfaces on Podmaniczky Square will increase by 30 percent, 82 new trees will be planted, the trolley stop will be moved away, the square will get new lighting and the pavement will be changed to natural stone, he said.

The revamp of Vörösmarty Square will cost 2.3 billion forints (EUR 7.14m) and the revamp of Podmaniczky Square 1.2 billion forints, he added.

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Source: MTI