After about eight years the EDTA announced a new tender for the utilization of its Olympic property Tae Kwon Do in Faliro. The aim is to develop a large metropolitan conference center there, which could significantly boost tourism in Athens and the Attica Region in general.
However, given that internationally convention centers have only marginal profitability, and usually losses when they are not subsidized, the uses of the property in Faliro include commercial and other activities that could enhance its economic viability. ETAD has set a minimum annual consideration for the lease of the property at 2.4 million, while participation in the tender also requires a commitment to mandatory investments of at least 22 million. The tender is competitive and will be conducted electronically with a deadline for the submission of the supporting documents for participation on Friday, February 16. The date of the electronic submission of the financial offer will be announced to the participants who will successfully pass the verification stage of participation documents.
For conference center development – At 2.4 million the minimum annual rent.
During the previous attempt to utilize the property for the development of a conference center, major hotel groups of Athens were interested, as well as companies from the aviation industry and construction. However, the tender did not go ahead, both because of a change of government and because proposals were made to develop the property as a shopping center and only secondarily as a conference center. Something that, however, collided with the presidential decree for the regeneration of Falirikos Ormos.
In particular, as uses of the leased property, in accordance with the presidential decree on the regeneration of Faliriko Ormos (Government Gazette 443AAP/2013), the following are foreseen and permitted to the contractor of the tender: Conference spaces and accompanying and supporting functions including exhibition spaces, theme parks, recreation areas, semi-outdoor event spaces, open-air cinema, outdoor large events/events/actions (mega events), interactive construction areas, visual constructions/landmarks, commercial stores, public service offices, public catering areas, refreshment rooms, guardhouses, outdoor, ground and underground parking areas with their supporting facilities, installations of photovoltaic panels and small wind turbines, which are exempt from the obligation to obtain production, installation and operation permits in accordance with existing legislation, pumping stations, electricity substations, small fishing shelter and open-air market of fishermen, permanent berthing of a vessel/landmark with tourism, leisure and catering uses, road network, public transport and technical infrastructure facilities and accompanying functions. The tender envisages the long-term lease for 40 years, with the possibility of extension for 10 additional years subject to conditions, of a part of Zone III of the Faliro Olympic Pole. The property is located in the immediate vicinity of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center and consists of the stadium, with an area of 141,586.90 sq.m., after the buildings and facilities on it (Tae Kwon Do Indoor Court, Water Square, Glass Building, etc. a.), surface section 6,823.43 sq.m. in front of the beach court, surface section 4,180.85 sq.m. in front of Zone III beach and, finally, the right to use the sea space in front of the property.
