$50 million community center planned for Beirut

Replacing Tarik Jdeede stadium with parking, green park, and library awaits Cabinet approval

A grand community center is planned for Beirut by end-2013, according to Bilal Hamad, head of the Municipality of Beirut.

The new center is set to replace the municipal football stadium in Tarik Jdeede. It will include football fields, a public park, a kids’ playground, as well as a public library and a multiuse assembly. A parking with a capacity to hold up to 2500 cars will be constructed beneath the center.

The municipal stadium will be relocated to Qasqas, facing the horse race track. “This area is less populated and will be better location for the stadium,” Hamad said.

The $50 million-plan needs the Cabinet’s approval. According to Hamad, the plots will be ready in the second quarter of 2013. If approved, the project will be up for contracting by the end of next year.

Reported by Abeer Darwiche