A
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Infrastructure
in the traditional BCD and in the original landfill area is one of the major deliverables
of the agreement with the State. Its completion on November 15, well ahead of schedule,
falls within the Company's policy to quickly develop a functional, modern city center. An
extensive road system has been installed, efficiently connecting the BCD both within
itself and to the rest of the city. In addition, SOLIDERE is providing new utility
networks and infrastructure services. The Company was granted a build-and-operate license
in September for a fiber-optic telecommunications web within the BCD.
SOLIDERE has upgraded street furniture and landscaping,
both in design and materials, beyond the scope of the agreement with the State. Traffic
lights were operational by October, as were the modern lamp posts manufactured by Hess
(Germany) and Eclatec (France). Samples for ornamental street lights destined for the
historic core area to be submitted by the French GHM (Générale d'Hydraulique et de
Mécanique) by early January. Street furniture, designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte (France),
will be installed during the first half of 1999.
Landscaping took on a visible turn this quarter, infusing
life and beauty into the BCD. Streets were planted with more than 800 trees, ranging from
the traditional olive, pine and palm trees to revived local species such as magnolias and
imported varieties as the Brachychiton silk tree.
Along The ring road and in surrounding areas, the harshness
of cement is softened by more than fifteen species of trees, all fast-growing and
evergreen. Riad El Solh square, now beautifully landscaped, provides a pleasant setting
for the restored statue and for the strollers. Works have started in three other open
spaces: The Ghalghoul garden facing UN House, due by February 1999; the second phase of
the Roman Baths and the space under the Serail, the latter two planned for delivery in
April 1999.
SOLIDERE signed a contract in November with Michel Macary
(France) for the design of the 'heritage trail' and the archeological park, which will
include a 'garden of forgiveness'. |
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BCD visitors |
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Visiting
the BCD in the course of his November mission to Lebanon, US commerce secretary William
Daley stressed the importance of the project as the 'the key to the Lebanese economy'.
Back in Washington D.C., he gave a presentation on SOLIDERE in a lecture at the Brookings
Institute, and called for more substantial US involvement in Lebanon's reconstruction. The
establishment of a US commerce department office in Beirut, announced during Mr. Daley's
mission, falls within the current move of fostering increased US-Lebanese business
relations.
CD visitors during the last quarter also included US secretary
of health Donna Shalala, accompanied by ambassador David Satterfield; US congressmen Nick
Rahal and Ray Lahood; British transport and environment minister Alan Mill, with
ambassador David McLennon; German economy minister Walter Doring; a WHO delegation headed
by the general manager Gro Bruntland,accompanied by Lebanese minister Sleiman Franjieh;
Dutch foreign affairs secretary-general Derek Vandenberg; a Children official delegation
headed by the foreign affairs regional director Jorge Iglesias, with ambassador Mario
Hamuy; Citybank regional director Alan Hirst; Lego vice-president and manager Thorkild
Knudsen; Baccarat general manager Pedro Alves Pires; and a number of academicians,
including a delegation from the Sorbonne and American University of Beirut President John
Waterburry. |
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New BCD Projects |
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Property services |
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Messrs. Taher
Al-Jaffal, George Rizkallah, Imad Hokeymi and Mohammad Mehio, owners of buildings in the
Foch-Allenby and Maarad areas, have signed agreements with SOLIDERE, entrusting it with
leasing, management and maintenance services for their properties. These
services may involve, depending on clients' wishes, drawing up budgets, arranging
insurance, collecting rents and paying taxes. |
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