Desenzano Lakeside Redesign Projects Promote Pedestrian Spaces and Public Works
Flowerbeds, cobbled pavement, eight fountains, stylized lampposts, and floating lakeside terraces for strolling, a much wider pedestrian walkway than the current one, vehicle transit closure: this will be the design of the new Desenzano lakeside promenade. An operation costing over 8 billion lire that will completely redesign the seaside walk of the Gardesana town from piazza Matteotti (in front of the Navigarda headquarters) to the Desenzanino bathing center.
The bulldozers will start their engines after Epiphany to begin the first phase of work, which will cost approximately 1.2 billion lire for the section between the Ponte alla Veneziana and the Park Hotel. Then we will see.
The plan for this major project, perhaps the last significant public work still missing in Desenzano, was conceived by the former mayor Piergiuseppe Ramella, a renowned architect and designer (some of his works have been exhibited in European galleries). The lakeside will finally change its face after 60 years.
History and presentation of the project
Indeed, in 1940, the current lakeside promenade was built, which has never been modified so far. The other evening, this project was, so to speak, materialized through its illustration to the public.
A largely audience made up of former administrators who shared both honors and responsibilities with Ramella. Among them were Gianfranco Bertolotti, Angelo Alessi, Luigi Girelli. A full nostalgia trip.
Girelli, an engineer and designer involved in planning, offered a testimonial that moved him subtly. “The decision to renovate the historical center was made in two days; I visited you in hospital,” Girelli said to Ramella, “and the dream of beautifying our squares to bring the pedestrian zone to life became a reality.”
Even for the new lakeside promenade, we can speak of a dream, Girelli emphasized again during the debate, but one that could come true. “The important thing is to build underground parking at piazza Cappelletti concurrently with the filling works of the Desenzanino, and to avoid causing inconvenience to the residents and businesses.”
Therefore, after the large projects of the 1980s (first piazza Malvezzi, then via Papa, followed by piazza Matteotti, via S. Maria, and via Roma), the construction site returns to the historic center after twenty years.
According to councilor Tommaso Giardino, who spoke alongside Mayor Anelli to present the project, “no disruptions will be caused to traffic or commercial activities in any way.” Once the work is completed (which will take several years), Desenzano will undoubtedly have succeeded in completing the circle in terms of beautification interventions in its historic center.
It’s enough to think that in some sections, the lakeside will be widened up to 10 meters, all at pedestrian disposal. Under piazza Cappelletti, a parking lot is planned, and others will be expanded near the town.
The shoreline will be significantly reinforced, and floating terraces similar to those existing on Lake Lugano will be installed in the water to better enjoy the lake view. Additionally, eight fountains will be placed along this promenade, new lighting points will be installed, and fill-ins will be created near Spiaggia Feltrinelli and Desenzanino.
Within the bathing center, two outdoor pools will be built. There will also be flowerbeds, benches, and kiosks for tourist information. The paving in the initial section, between piazza Matteotti and the Hotel Vittorio, will be laid in porphyry.
Among the attendees were also administrators such as Achille Benedetti, Giovanni Venieri, Mario Marchioni, Mariastella Gelmini, and leaders of entrepreneurial categories like Raffaella Visconti Curuz (president of merchants) and Saverio Ziliani (president of hoteliers).
To conclude, what can be said about this project? That it could be under the shadow of the sharp sword of the Soprintendenza (see entries regarding “beach filling”). Unfortunately, the “Golden Beach” (Spiaggia d’Oro) speaks for itself.
And if the local administration does not mend the apparently frayed relationship with the highest peripheral body of the Ministry of Environmental Assets in recent months, then the future implementation of the project—particularly the zone from Feltrinelli to Desenzanino—might face difficulties.
