Two sites of over 17 acres (17,300 sq.m.) located at Sepolia and Rizoupoli were granted today to the Municipality of Athens by Building Infrastructures SA. (KTYP), with the aim of being utilized as green spaces and handed over for use to the residents and visitors of the city.

This is the area of ​​13,475 sq.m. of the historic BOTRYS distillery, next to the Koropoulis factory – which was recently demolished and is being transformed into a green space – as well as for a plot of land of 3,811 sq.m. in Thermida of Rizoupoli, adjacent to a school and a park.

Municipality of Athens and KTYP signed the relevant contracts at noon at the city hall, marking the beginning of the upgrade of the two spaces, which is also a perennial request of the residents.

The Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, in his statement, immediately after the signing of the contracts, emphasized:

“Today, Athens gains two new green areas, which means more free space and oxygen for its residents. We thank Building Infrastructures S.A. for the free concession of the site of the historic “BOTRYS” distillery, which has remained abandoned for four decades and which we will now be able to utilize for the benefit of all. Similar are the plans in Rizoupoli, where we undertake to shape an abandoned plot of land into a green and recreational area.”

Present at the signing of the contracts were the Deputy Mayor of Municipal Property and Construction, Giorgos Apostolopoulos, the Chairman of the Board of Directors. of “Building Infrastructure SA” Timos Katsipos, the Managing Director, Thanasis Giannaris and the General Manager of Operations and Resource Management, Maria Michopoulou.

On the part of KTYP, the Managing Director, Mr. Giannaris, said: “Today we signed the concession to the Municipality of Athens of two emblematic properties, owned by our company, in important areas of Athens, giving the possibility of upgrading and improving the lives of the residents of our city, confirming, once again, the social character of Building Infrastructures SA, but also our concern for the utilization of state property”. He added: “Dear Mayor, Mr. Bakoyannis, with the concession of the two properties, you have the opportunity to further enrich your creative work.”

The Deputy Mayor of Municipal Property and Construction, Giorgos Apostolopoulos, in his statement, emphasized: “With Building Infrastructures SA, we have an excellent cooperation and this is reflected in today’s signature. As a municipality, we are committed to making the best possible use of the spaces in BOTRYS and Thermida, for the benefit of the Athenians.”

A brief history of BOTRYS

On the property on Grammos, Siokos and Avlonos streets, in Sepolia, the “BOTRYS” distillery operated for many decades. It was founded in 1906 by the Hellenic Society of Wines and Spirits, it closed in 1986, while at the end of the 90s the building was bought by the School Buildings Organization for the purpose of building a school, which however did not proceed. The factory buildings have been declared preserved monuments by decision of the Ministry of Culture (2004), following a proposal by the Athens municipal council.

The purpose of today’s concession – which is made free of charge – is on the one hand the improvement of the common area for the benefit of the residents and on the other hand the guarding and protection of the property.

Based on the concession contract – which has a duration of 5 years with the possibility of extension – the Municipality of Athens plans to shape the surrounding area appropriately, so that there is free access to it by the citizens.

Specifically, based on the contract, in the plans of the municipality, it is the shaping of the area with plantings, the creation of walking routes and rest areas, the installation of an electric lighting network and urban equipment. His responsibilities also include the cleaning and maintenance of the premises at his own expense.

In the buildings located within the site, no structural or architectural interventions are foreseen in the first phase. Any modification of them at a later time will only be done after consultation with the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Ministry of Culture and Sports. The premises, however, will be cleaned and the necessary mycotomies will be carried out, so that they do not constitute foci of infection, while for the safety of the visitors, access to them will not be allowed.

Utilization of 4 acres of greenery in Rizoupoli as well

At the same time, an area of ​​approximately 4 acres (3,811 sq.m.) located on Volvi, Pityuntos, Hermonassis, Ofiuntos and Kromni streets in Thermida of Rizoupoli and adjacent to the 22nd Lyceum of Athens, as well as field. The municipality intends to create a new green and walking area there for the residents of the area.

According to the concession agreement, the Municipality of Athens will be solely responsible for the generally good use of the space, for the cleaning and general maintenance of all the property of KTYP SA, as well as for covering any kind of expenses that will be required for the specific purposes.

The municipality intends to reform the space appropriately, so that it exists free access to the citizens as a green space. Specifically, as in the case of BOTRYS, it will shape the area with plantings, create walking routes and rest areas and install an electric lighting network and urban equipment. At the same time, he will undertake the cleaning and maintenance of the space at his own expense.