A McDonald's on the Baths of Caracalla? The formality of the project has triggered the ire of the I Municipio and Mayor Raggi

A McDonald’s will rise, complete with McDrive, McCafé and a parking lot overlooking the Baths of Caracalla: it seemed to be only rumors among residents of that area, but the arrival in the I Municipio of the executive project of the new restaurant of the famous fast food chain of American origin has made itofficial.

According to the plan, the new McDonald’s will be built in the historic Eurogarden nursery on Via Baccelli on an area of about 10 thousand square meters; the restaurant will occupy 800 square meters of it and will be accompanied by the ever-present McDrive and McCafé: all to be able to hold 250 people between indoor and outdoor areas. 180 square meters of the restaurant area will be dedicated to an indoor greenhouse to “keep the connection with the nursery strong.” There will also be a children’s playground with benches and educational vegetable gardens and a parking lot, occupying a total area of 3,000 square meters. The opening, according to the multinational company, is expected within the year.

The project’s formality has triggered concerns and ire not only from residents, but also from the Environment and Public Works Commission of the 1st City Hall, as well as from Mayor Virginia Raggi herself.

“It’s impossible not to have misgivings about this project: it’s one of the few areas in downtown Rome that is still healthy, not distorted, without thinking about the impact on the road system that a McDonald’s will have in a place traversed by a busy artery like Colombo,” said Councilman Stefano Marin, chairman of the Commission.

“It was a cold shower. There were alarmed rumors from residents about the future of the nursery on Baccelli Street, but only today, in front of the papers, did we have the certainty of McDonald’s,” added Councilwoman Sara Lilli.

For its part, the multinational company clarified that “the restaurant will occupy the existing shed. There will be no additional volumes, and there will be no impactful signage, as prescribed by the Superintendence. This is an overall redevelopment project for the area.”

From the administrative point of view, I Municipio President Sabrina Alfonsi lets it be known that “everything is absolutely regular. It is a private green area, with no services. The bistro is the only possibility of not losing the nursery and seeing work done at no cost to the administration. We are in the free market; a McDonald’s is as good as any other restaurant. Indeed, being a large multinational, the works will certainly be subject to stricter controls.”

Determined the mayor of Rome Virginia Raggi, who, declaring herself in the dark, called for the suspension of the executive project for the construction of McDonald’s on the Baths of Caracalla, believing that a confrontation with the territory and citizens is necessary.

Source: Repubblica

Ph.Credit

A McDonald's on the Baths of Caracalla? The formality of the project has triggered the ire of the I Municipio and Mayor Raggi

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