Salò Plans New Parking and Waterfront Renovations
In Salò, the section of lungolago Zanardelli, from Piazza Vittoria to the Carmine, has been regulated with parking meters (two thousand lire per hour, from 7 a.m. to midnight). Family units residing in the northern area (via Fantoni, via Butturini starting from Piazza Zanardelli) who lack garages or indoor parking spaces, have received authorization to park a vehicle for free. At the end of summer, restoration works will begin in Piazza Vittoria, along with additional measures. Mayor Giampietro Cipani, assessor Bernardo Berardinelli, Confcommercio president Nirvana Grisi, and municipal police commander Sandro Morandi outlined the intervention during a council chamber meeting.
Interventions and regulations along the lakeside promenade
“Along the lakeside, from the pier heading north,” said the mayor, “we managed to free about sixty parking spots, occupied by municipal employees and ASL workers. Paying 50,000 lire per month—an effort considering they previously paid nothing—they can park at the garage on Viale Landi. This structure can accommodate 120 cars, but it had been neglected for years.”
Hence, the decision to sign an agreement with Mr. Pasini, who ensures it is monitored 24 hours a day. This guarantees a rotation of parking spots along the lakeside, providing significant benefits for tourists. Some, like the hotel owners’ president Sergio Bassetti, have asked to limit parking meter use from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Others suggested reserving via Duomo and Piazzetta S. Antonio exclusively for residents.
Works in Piazza Vittoria and future projects
Berardinelli emphasized the arrangement of Piazza Vittoria. “Works will commence in the first week of October and last until the end of May at most. The project, designed by architects Anna Gatti and Paolo Beschi, costs around one and a half billion lire. We will hold the tender on August 13. Penalties have been established for delays not caused by force majeure.”
The current ticket office of “Navigarda” will be removed and replaced with an octagonal structure made of copper and glass resembling a lighthouse. The square will be uncovered and paved with porphyry and pink marble. Over the past months, divers conducted inspections: there should be no negative surprises. The lighting will be installed underground. A ramp similar to that in Piazza Zanardelli will allow water access.
The lakeside will be covered with a thin mat because the harbor area is not adequately protected against waves. A specialized company will install pilings at three points. It took considerable time to obtain approval from the Soprintendenza. Traffic will not be blocked but may experience slowdowns. Once completed, Piazza Vittoria will become pedestrian-only.
Updates on parking and development projects
The mayor seized the opportunity to outline new strategies concerning parking. The proposed parking lot at the Carmine, on one side of the Italian Red Cross (Croce Rossa Italiana) building, has been canceled, especially since after the flood at the camp in Soverato, Calabria, the Ministry of Public Works prohibited covering watercourses for such purposes.
“We plan to create an open-air parking lot in Valle,” added Cipani, “between the Apollonio workshop and the sports field, increasing parking spaces from 180 to 400. A sidewalk will connect it to the historic center, passing behind the retirement home and along Brezzo.” In Piazzale Martiri della Libertà, site of the Saturday market, the town council intends to build an underground level to double the current 360 parking spaces.
This project is part of the recovery plan for the former shoe factory, owned by the Odolini family, now occupied by the Garda Volunteers. By December 31, 2002, they aim to redefine the former “Pir” in Via Brunati; the related project was rejected by the Tar (Administrative Court).
“We have already decided,” said Cipani, “to cancel the new building volume of 12,000 cubic meters behind the former ‘Fratelli Cervi’ elementary school. We will need to sell part of the existing properties. However, building the parking garage on the embankment of the former civic college will cost between 7 and 8 billion lire. Unfortunately, after long negotiations, the deal with Asm ended without any result.”
Two other options remain on the table: an underground parking lot at Piazzale Leonardo da Vinci, connected to the old retirement home bought by the Galeazzi group, which needs space, and expanding the Viale Landi garage. “We are evaluating,” the mayor concluded, “whether it’s possible to add a floor, increasing current spots from 120 to 180.”
