The Mayor of Amman, Engineer Omar Maani, inaugurated this morning the Park Plaza Complex in the Sweifieh commercial area, as part of the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) celebration of Independence Day, at a cost of JOD 17 million.
The Complex includes parking space for 750 cars and a shopping mall in the ground and first floors, as well as three floors of modern offices equipped with cutting edge technology.
Commenting on the occasion, Eng. Maani said, “We are harvesting, today, the fruits of collaboration between the public and private sectors in the field of investment, as success always resides in mutual cooperation and understanding between all parties, and in compliance to the rules and regulations.”
He also affirmed that this joint project between GAM and Al-Marafeq (Facilities) Investment for Construction and Operation (Company) constitutes a successful example of such investments.
The Mayor commended the Company’s cooperation with GAM, its compliance with all the agreement terms, and its implementation of the project under the supervision of GAM and one of the specialized Jordanian consultancy companies. Such laudable actions led to the completion of the project 6 months ahead of schedule, thus easing traffic flow within the Sweifieh area with the advent of summer.
Eng. Maani indicated that the concept behind establishing a public car park in the teeming commercial area stems from a series of projects GAM is adopting in its efforts to effectuate sustainability in the City and to maintain its urban character through the services to citizens.
The project aims at reducing traffic congestion, especially in commercial areas like Sweifieh, through providing public car parks, thus minimizing the random and sudden stopping on street sides that obstructs traffic flow and causes accidents.
The Mayor of Amman explained that establishing and managing car parks constitute a main factor in easing traffic flow and reducing traffic jams in world’s capitals. He added that accomplishing this, and providing modern car parks will have a positive bearing on revitalizing commercial and economic traffic in the area.
The Chairman of Al-Marafeq (Facilities) Investment for Construction and Operation (Company) Board of Trustees, Eng. Nabeel Al Sarraf, said that establishing projects based on the BOT system between the public and private sector is not easy, and that success depends on continued understanding and cooperation between all parties concerned, so that solutions can be found for the different problems that may arise from such a joint investment.
Al Sarraf expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Mayor of Amman, Eng. Omar Maani, for his constant follow-up on each step of the project, and his tireless endeavors to overcome all difficulties. He also thanked GAM Council members, the Manager of Amman City and his deputies, and GAM cadre.
GAM and Al-Marafeq (Facilities) Investment for Construction and Operation (Company) signed an agreement in June of 2007, according to which the Company is to establish a multi-purpose car park complex, in addition to a shopping mall and offices on a piece of land owned by GAM, with an area of 5050 square meters. The Company will finance, establish, invest in, and manage the project for a period of 25 years, after which ownership is transferred to GAM.
It is worth noting that the project was implemented in accordance with international standards with regards to organizing traffic flow, fire-fighting, ventilation, and cutting edge automatic payment methods, all of which facilitate and speed up the car commuting activities.