Reunification and urban renewal plans Mamilla

the terrace , jerusalem stone-covered parking garage construction in background, january 2007

the 1970s saw numerous proposals rehabilitating neighbourhood, , defined zone of high-priority reconstruction efforts. administration responsible preservation , construction in old city took mamilla under jurisdiction well, both because of proximity , possession of many of same considerations british weighed when regulating development. 1972 master-plan revitalising city centre transferred 100 of 120 dunams (0.1 square kilometres (0.04 sq mi)) karta, municipal firm led architects gilbert weil , moshe safdie charged project, , called destruction of every building save french hospice st. vincent de paul. plan called subterranean street system, over-ground buildings offices , stores, pedestrian promenade, parking 1,000 cars, , bus terminal.

this plan evoked massive criticism throughout city government, although mayor teddy kollek lent full political backing plan. when deputy mayor meron benvenisti commissioned more conservative plan under architect david kroyanker based on facadism, mayor filed away without discussion. karta evicted 700 families, communal institutions, , businesses, placing them in then-developing neighbourhoods of baka , neve yaakov, , moved industry talpiot, seed of current industrial zone. evictions cost israeli government on $60 million , completed in 1988, when mamilla ceased exist neighbourhood , instead became compound slated future construction.

hospice saint vincent de paul, mamilla

the evicted residents jewish immigrants arab states weak financial status left them vulnerable kollek s plan. following steep increase in real-estate values of formerly depressed areas mamilla near former armistice line , old city perceived evicted mizrahi jews injustice. became key issue in 1970s israeli social upheaval , founding of black panthers movement in israel.

upscale apartments in david s village echoing arches , alleyways of old city

after 16 years of controversy, during half-constructed mamilla project remained eyesore in heart of city, revised plan drawn architect moshe safdie incorporating elements of kroyanker s conservative design moved forward in 1986. new plan called compound divided 4 areas: open-air mall mixed-use 3-6 storey buildings , multi-storey car park, terraced residential housing, , 2 hotels along border downtown. british ladbroke group plc, controls hilton hotels corporation, won bid build project s main hotel (originally hilton jerusalem , david citadel hotel) , housing, built luxury gated community named david s village (hebrew: כּֽפָר דָּוִד‎, kfar david).

numerous disputes between karta , ladbroke led british firm exit project, , shares assumed alfred akirov s alrov company. however, further objections many sources—including religious groups opposed entertainment area close old city , possible operation on jewish sabbath—kept construction @ crawl. both alrov , karta accused each other of breach of contract , sued. after years of frozen construction , drawn-out mediation, jerusalem district court found parts of both parties complaints justified , ordered 100 million nis paid alrov karta, allowed construction resume.

may 28, 2007 saw opening of phase 1 of shopping mall , part of 600-meter promenade. completion of remainder of promenade, stern house rebuilding, , other construction, including 207-room five-star second hotel, scheduled completed in spring of 2008.

like several other luxury neighbourhoods in city, apartments in david s village development owned foreigners visit few days or weeks year. critics contend makes ghost town in city centre.

mamilla location of projected simon wiesenthal center s center human dignity, controversial project because construction require building on part of old muslim cemetery.