Plans for former Desyllas factory on hold

Dear Madam Minister,

The Municipal Council of Central Corfu and the Diapontia Islands, in its 28th urgent session held on 13/11/23, decided by a majority vote the following:

The Municipality of Central Corfu and the Diapontia Islands

a) to participate in the upcoming second auction process of the property "Desyllas Factory" by Piraeus Bank, as it is a property that, on the one hand, is located in a significant and important position in Corfu Town, and, on the other hand, the Municipality will be able to present it as a historical and cultural facility and make the best use of it, and

b) to submit a request to the Ministry of Culture for the property to be transferred to the public ownership.

The property "Desyllas Factory," covering an area of 36,000 sq.m. in the Garitsa area of Corfu, includes 6 listed buildings that, along with their surrounding area, occupy 20,000 sq.m.

It is also located in an area that covers the ancient town of Corfu, and it is considered certain that there are very important ancient findings. Since the property is in the auction process by Piraeus Bank, please inform us about the excavations that have been carried out to date on the property, as well as the possibilities of intervention by the Ministry for it to be transferred to public ownership.

Poulimenos: In the light of the actual facts

The indefinite absence of notaries, however, has temporarily put on hold the conducting of a repeat auction since there was no interest in the first one for the property with a starting price of 8.2 million Euros.

The outgoing Deputy Mayor of Finance, Giorgos Pantelios, told Enimerosi that the municipality's participation in an auction is a process that should be seriously examined by specialised individuals, both formally and substantively, given that it involves public funds.

The new Mayor, Stefanos Poulimenos, is also adopting a wait-and-see approach. "The Desyllas Factory is undoubtedly a very interesting case. However, the municipality bears many financial burdens and obligations. Financing is an option, but this essentially means drawing resources from the future of the area.

"I don't rule it out, but it should be examined in relation to the financial capabilities of the municipality. In the current transitional phase, we cannot have a secure answer. We will consider the matter in the light of the actual facts," says Stefanos Poulimenos, estimating that the new municipal authority will be able to have a complete picture by the end of January 2024.