After a summer hiatus caused by high temperatures, the large metal claws of the bulldozers have resumed their work, crushing and tearing apart the reinforced concrete and iron structures of the old San Benedetto market. The hydraulic clamps have left only the facades of Via Bacaredda and Via Pacinotti intact.
The vaporizers "fire" nebulized water to suppress dust, and if it weren't for the hum of the construction vehicles' engines, there's no sign of the capital's most important construction site. Truth be told, there's also the surface metro, but that project now seems like "Sa fabbrica de Sant'Anna," so much so that countless months of delays in the project's completion and the completion announced by ARST are uncountable.
The construction site
In the quadrangle surrounding the old market, men and equipment are working nonstop. The "holy" mistral managed to cool the temperatures, at least during the first part of the day. "The demolition work should be completed next week," the technicians managing the site say. "Immediately thereafter, the excavation phase for the basement will begin. Reconstruction of the new structure will then proceed."
Are the deadlines set out in the specifications being met? "Yes, we are proceeding according to schedule, after overcoming some unforeseen challenges." Recently, the suggestion of underground parking in the former market has been revived. "It wasn't possible due to time and budget constraints. The City Council has funding available that hasn't allowed us to plan this type of project."
The traders
Protests from local merchants and residents continue, reporting a sharp decline in business due to the reduction in parking around the former city market. "Luckily, we have loyal customers who appreciate our products; otherwise, the decline in business would be even worse," says a disheartened Emanuela Matta, kneading ravioli and lasagna on Via Cocco Ortu. "Since the work began, six businesses have closed their doors. Despite many difficulties, we're holding firm and gritting our teeth, but we've been forced to lay off three employees."
On Via Tiziano, Fabrizio Contu runs a pet shop. "The final blow was the reduction in parking." Just steps away are the parking spaces in the buildings. "They're always full, let alone when the new facility opens," Contu says. "I also wonder why it was demolished; we were told it was a building worth preserving and conserving."
Anisia Mameli, on the other hand, sees the glass half full. "Sure, foot traffic has decreased, but luckily I have regular customers who appreciate my products," she says from behind the counter of her lingerie shop. "Has the balance sheet collapsed? No, revenue is in line with what it was before the renovations; consider that last year's turnover only dropped by 4,000 euros."
Andrea Artizzu