Bakoyannis: “We went through many difficulties for Votanikos – In 2026 we deliver the stadium”

The difficulties that the municipality of Athens had to face in order to “connect” the project of the double reconstruction and the new stadium of Panathinaikos in Botanikos were mentioned by Kostas Bakoyannis in an interview with APE-MPE.

The mayor of Athens admitted that there was a degree of difficulty while he pointed out that everything has been overcome, the work has started and continues normally and that the project is expected to be delivered in 2026 based on the existing planning.

The Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, in detail in APE – MEP:

-As has been pointed out by you in the past, Mr. Mayor, the project of “Double Redevelopment” is by far the most complex and multifaceted project in post-war Athens. Before the previous elections, you were the first to bring it back to the news. What was it that convinced you at that time, how you could find the solutions and be able to bring to the implementation phase a project that – according to the lies – had been stalled for 15 years?

“Welcome to the Athens City Hall and thank you very much for the invitation. Why did we bring it back pre-election in 2019? For one clear reason: Because we had a plan! Let’s go back a bit. As you know, the “Double Renewal” is a big, historical pending issue of the city, since about 2004-2005. We have heard too much about the “Double Renewal” and have always experienced the cancellations, the cancellations, the disappointments. So as you remember, when we started, there was a lot of – perfectly understandable – cynicism. Now, however, it is clear – and accepted by even the most skeptical – that the water has entered the groove. Where are we; We have a project with preliminary work in progress. In Botanikos, work is progressing. We have the stadium itself, the 38,000-seater arena, which has been contracted and it’s only a matter of time before planning permission is issued to start work. And we also have something else, which is of great importance to me, the park around the arena as well as the infrastructure – the roads, the lighting, the networks – which will be auctioned in the coming months. Practically, therefore, we are within our goals. The stadium should be handed over in 2026, so that the way will then be opened for the Avenue to “fall” and for Athens to gain a “lung” of life in Alexandra Avenue”.

-I will dwell a little more on your last statement about the part of the green. Because apart from the new, state-of-the-art field facilities that PAE and Amateur Panathinaikos will acquire, which is also the “tip” of the spear, a huge profit from the “Double Redevelopment” project, is the huge “breath” that will take all Athens with the green lungs that will be created in both “poles”. A few days ago you presented the 215-acre park that will be created in Botanikos. And if nothing else, this is also a big, winning bet for the capital…

“We are talking about a green regeneration. Not only because of Panathinaikos, but also because we are taking a big step for the environment. And let’s agree on something… We saw the devastating fires of Mount Parnitha. What else has to happen, then, to understand that if we don’t start working now, our children won’t have oxygen. What do we currently have in Botanikos? We have an area completely abandoned. Forgotten for decades, it experiences the indifference of the central state and the Municipality. An area that is only one and a half kilometers from Omonia square. From where we are now, in Kotzia square, “heavy” ten minutes by car. And there we are creating a 215-acre park. A park that, to get a feel for it, will be the largest modern park in Athens. The Field of Areos is about 270 acres. Here we are talking about 215. You understand, then, that sizes are very important. And at the same time, when the Avenue “falls” we gain another very important park on Alexandras Avenue, which is connected to the park behind. And now we can call it a park, because it has undergone a very nice renovation, while until a few years ago it was all cement…”.

-In this whole journey of the last years, until the final agreements and contracts with the parties involved, what was the biggest difficulty that you and your partners had to overcome?

“The Municipality of Athens was and is not only the implementer of the project, but also the catalyst, the coordinator, the regulator. Because there are many different parties involved here. And on this occasion, I want to say once again – and I always will – because above all it is a team game and just because we are just before elections, it does not mean that we should allow our egos to come to the fore, a thank you to Erasitechnis Panathinaikos, to PAE Panathinaikos, to the Government and to all those who supported us to reach this point. You know, we also showed something else: We sent a “message” to Brussels and to all those who sometimes question us as a country, that we can work, move forward and implement big projects within our timetables. Because don’t forget that a very large part of the funding comes from the Recovery Fund”.

-Was there ever a moment when you felt some danger or some concern in yourself, that this whole process could not proceed to the end?

“It wasn’t easy… See you all. We had to overcome many obstacles. It is no coincidence that for many years this project was left pending. But I never allowed myself the… luxury of being a coward. Or lose if you will my courage. Because I really believed in this project. Panathinaikos needs it, Athens needs it too. Do not forget that we are talking about a supra-local, development program with two pillars. One in Botanikos and one in Alexandras Avenue. With a field, with greenery, with infrastructure, but also with something else: Investments! We have the study, where it is clearly documented that we will attract over 400 million euros of direct investment. Which means quality jobs in the capital. Is it possible not to give your all to make this a reality?’

-For years, the owner and president of PAE Panathinaikos, Mr. Ioannis Alafouzos, did not seem to be very “warm” with the “Double Renewal” project, possibly because he could see in front of him a series of insurmountable difficulties. When you invited the parties involved to a dialogue, at the start of this process, what were the points you put to him to change their thoughts on this particular pitch?

“Look, I understand that there is a big emotional charge when we talk about the Avenue stadium. I’m from Panathinaikos too. We grew up in Leoforo, it is the historical headquarters of the team. So the decision to say goodbye is by no means easy. I also understand, as I said earlier, that many denials have accumulated over the years. From the first moment – and you will remember this from 2019 – I didn’t talk big and didn’t make big promises. Even when I felt the pressure of the world of Panathinaikos, the world of Athens, I was always very careful and measured my words. Because at the end of the day, the most convincing answer to reasonable questions and perfectly understandable questions is work. Hard work and result. The visible result, the tangible result. This applies to the “Double Regeneration”, it applies to the Municipality of Athens as a whole and it also applies to life…”.

-Is there a specific schedule and plan regarding the tenders for the rest of the accompanying green projects, infrastructure and support of the project, as well as the facilities of the Amateur Panathinaikos?

“Shall we take them one by one? Greenery and infrastructure in the immediate future. In the autumn, before the end of 2023, as we have said… Within 2024 the facilities of the Amateur will also proceed. Let me say here that they are really impressive. I think you have seen the presentation. We are talking about state-of-the-art facilities. There are no equivalents in Greece. We are talking about 7,500 m2, a huge indoor court, an open swimming pool of Olympic dimensions, in which many sports can be trained and practiced at the same time. There it will be a real “hive” for the children of Athens and it blends in very harmoniously with the space. Because at the end of the day, that’s what I imagine. How our children – because we live in a cement town and are very cramped – will take the Metro and find themselves easily and very quickly in a safe, modern, green place, where they will exercise, play sports, be active. This is how sustainability and resilience are built. From below…”

-Of the contracts that have already been signed, there is still a small pending matter concerning the hiring of a technical consultant who is a direct partner of the Municipality and who will also have the “supervision” of the entire project. Has the competition started to “run” on this?

“There is no pending matter. We are “in the air” and it is only a matter of time. You know that’s the least. It will be a supporting role, I do not underestimate it, it has its importance. Here, of course, if you don’t… dance, your house will fall on you. And I want to say a big “thank you” to an excellent team we have in the Municipality of Athens. I may come forward and talk to the camera, but a lot of people have worked. And they have managed to bring this very difficult, complex thing to this point, so that today we are talking about the big, won bet of Athens”.

-Because people often like to talk (also) about numbers. And you said such a number earlier, citing 38,000 in terms of capacity. One of the topics of discussion that dominate the ranks of the team’s friends is the final capacity of the new football field in Botanikos. The contracts state “up to 40,000 seat stadium”. When is this expected to be finalized in terms of the final capacity figure, through the final study?

“They also ask me on the street. Short hallelujah psalm. It is only a matter of time before the final studies are finalized and we have the exact number. In any case, keep the minimum which is 38,000 and the maximum which is up to 40,000 seats”.

-Hand on heart. After so many discussions, negotiations, endless working hours of you and your partners on this particular project, is there anything that “fears” you now that it might “brake” all the processes of the “Double Redevelopment”?

“Let’s take them one by one, why should I just answer ‘no’, it’s not very convincing… We have money?” Yes, both national and European resources and the Recovery Fund have been secured. Do we have studies? We have them, even if there is any outstanding technical nature, we complete some small detail and move forward. Does red tape scare us? No, because we have already contracted the field and we are moving too fast. I can’t imagine what could go wrong…”

-In closing, I would like your own wish and your own vision. A few days ago, at the press conference of the UEFA Super Cup final in “G. Karaiskakis”, you said “now let’s go to Botanikos”. Is it something you already have in mind?

“Yes, of course… To be there too. To sit, when the stadium opens its doors, together with tens of thousands of Panathinaikos, tens of thousands of fans to live this moment. Not only us, but also our children. Because at the end of the day, don’t forget that these are works that are not done for today, but for tomorrow. They are not done for us, they are also done for the next generation…”



– Thank you very much, we hope to see you in three years at the new stadium in Botanikos…

“This is certain…”.