Lido Lakefront Development: New Port Plans and Parking Concerns
Giancarlo Angelini interprets the discomfort of the Altogardesano nautical community regarding the projected reduction of boat slips planned in the lakefront area arrangement presented by Lido di Riva spa. The remedy? They had already discussed it, more or less theoretically, years ago.
Angelini writes: «According to the Cecchetto project for San Nicolò, the expansion to the north involves major excavation works and the halving of the current parking lot, which is extremely valuable for Viale Rovereto. Even opening new spaces to the west would not solve the parking problem, as part of that area will surely be used to build a building — services to rationalize the port itself.»
Jumping to the other side of the lakefront, the redevelopment of “Spiaggia degli Olivi”, including the construction of the swimming pool identified in the current semi-circular beach area, also entails a revision of the Fraglia marina. From which, in order to make the new pool viable (as heard in several discussions), the wooden pier on the north side might, (as rumored in multiple circles), disappear.
Problems and solutions for nautical development
The significant expenses (working on water involves large investments!), for a new pier in San Nicolò (which would neither solve nor possibly worsen the problem, given the reduction of the current parking) along with the need to accommodate boats displaced from the Fraglia, demand a different approach: the identification of a new port area. Which already exists!
And it is the gulf of Lido, where, with a detailed plan (already in place), hundreds of boats can be accommodated, considering the development of yachting indicated by Delai. The area has been partly identified by Cecchetto, acknowledging the growing demand presented by the sector.
Undoubtedly, the main obstacle is the construction of the breakwater pier. But recently, a possibility has arisen that must not be overlooked.
This is related to the planned creation of the gallery between Grotta Azzurra and Ponale, which involves extracting thousands of tons of rock that must be disposed of somewhere. Perhaps simply dropping it into the lake.
So why not deposit it where the preliminary breakwater at Punta Lido already exists, to construct that breakwater which was only sketched out thirty years ago? It would suffice for one of those open-bottom barges to load the material beneath Gardesana, and then, after sailing 300 meters, drop it onto the seabed at Punta Lido.
The breakwater, the primary issue in this project, would then automatically be addressed. Or, at the very least, raise the seabed enough to reduce costs if a floating breakwater is to be constructed. In the unfortunate event of the Gardesana’s collapse, we at least have this material available.