“The residents and business people supported and tolerated the project, but I’m convinced they will say that, in the end, everything was well managed, and that they will do even better business in the square,” De Wolf said, thanking all stakeholders for their patience.
The project started in January 2018 and was to have been completed by late Autumn but was delayed by a few weeks due to the discovery of an area leading to the Maelbeek that had not been included in the plans and problems with drying the paves, made of natural stone.
“The square, which provides space and a clear view from the terraces, now has a more peaceful look,” stressed Reynders, who noted that work on Rue Froissart, which will have a lane reserved for buses, would complete the renovation.
Mayor De Wolf also announced that the Sunday market would be resumed at the new square, whose renovation cost a total of 4.5 million euros.
The open-air parking station that used to take over almost the entire square has now been shifted towards Rue de Maelbeek, where 80 covered places are available to motorists.
In late 2017, the square’s Friterie Antoine had also been inaugurated after undergoing a 477,000-euro facelift.
Oscar Schneider
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