Lagos is undergoing a major re-vamp at the western end of the Avenida dos Descobrimentos from the fort, Ponta da Bandeira, to the court house. A new underground carpark is being constructed which will be of huge benefit once completed. It has meant Praça D.Henrique and the old carpark next to the courthouse undergoing major excavations:
but the gardens in front of Porta de São Gonçalo (St.Gonçalo’s gate) are now restored to their former glory. Once work is complete (sometime next year) the area will be landscaped with gardens and water features and new cafés along the front ovelooking the water.
Lagos also has a brand new Paços do concelho (City Hall) which was officially opened on 6th July. Previously a lot of the departments were spread around Lagos - not always making it easy to find what you were looking for!
The new building officially known as "Paços do Concelho Séc. XXI", has 2 floors of underground carparking and 4 floors of offices and is situated on the site of an old cork factory at the junction of Rua Dom Vasco da Gama, Rua dos Celeiros and Rua José Ferreira Canelas and is just east of the bus station. If you are passing you will notice a chimney complete with a stork's nest by the new roundabout in front of the building.
We have watched over a period of months as first the chimney was restored, then moved by crane to a corner of the site away from the construction work and then finally moved again to it's present position. The stork's nest meanwhile had been safely placed on a scaffolding tower nearby throughout these manoeuvres! The stork had an excellent view of the official opening ceremony!
The Cittaslow flag was amongst those hoisted during the opening ceremony showing Lagos to be an official member of the Slow Cities movement - testament to the quality and pace of life in our home town!
