Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1536636
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 JUNE 2025 NEWS OPEN CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS Extension of Deadline With reference to the announcement of Call 28 focusing on Public Sector Investment in Research and Innovation launched under Priority 1. PO 1 - A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity, RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies (ERDF) of the European Regional Development Fund, announced on 6 th April 2025, the Managing Authority responsible for the ERDF/CF/JTF 2021-2027 Programme is extending the deadline for the submission of project proposals. The deadline is being extended from Friday 4 th July 2025 to Friday 1 st August 2025 at 16.00. For further information, the Managing Authority can be contacted via email on fondi.eu@gov.mt. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The premises are not far from the site of a recent building col- lapse, although the two cases are unrelated. In a report sent on 10 Septem- ber 2024 to Trident Estates plc an architect noted an "increase in the degree of deterioration" in the underlying outlet when com- pared to an inspection in 2023. The report noted that the dete- rioration could be due to "con- tinuing water penetration from the shafts, or from the general abandon of the place". The architect said that al- though previous interventions on the reinforced slabs and beams "is still viable", "most col- umns" now require "extensive repairs". He added that further propping would be needed to allow work on the columns indi- vidually. The report also drew attention to a "major crack, running from top to bottom of the façade". While no direct link was estab- lished between this crack and the deterioration of the rein- forced concrete structure, the report suggested that it may re- late to other issues in the over- lying block. The architect concluded that undertaking repairs was no longer financially feasible and recommended efforts be made to reach agreement with the owners of the overlying apart- ments to demolish the existing building and redevelop the site. Trident CEO Charles Xuereb said: "In the meantime, we have propped the Burger King ground slab. We are taking these mat- ters very seriously and are ac- tively considering the next steps to appropriately address the is- sue. Please rest assured that we are committed to managing this situation with the utmost dili- gence." Meanwhile, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) told MaltaToday it is closely monitoring the case and has filed a police report. The authority said the owners have appointed a private archi- tect and implemented meas- ures to ensure safety within the premises. The BCA noted that the gov- ernment-appointed architect engaged by the police is prepar- ing a report. A meeting will be held between the BCA, the gov- ernment architect, the building owners, and other relevant third parties to determine an appro- priate course of action, the au- thority said. The BCA added that this case is entirely unrelated to the re- cent incident involving the former Avenue premises in Paceville, where a block of flats abutting onto a construction site collapsed. Investigations to de- termine the cause of the collapse are ongoing. Report draws attention to a 'major crack, running from top to bottom of the façade' Photo: Juliana Zammit Photo: Juliana Zammit