Amman municipality calls for investing in northern side of King Abdullah I Park

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) on Thursday announced investment opportunities in the northern part of King Abdullah I Park in Amman’s Wadi Saqra area in order to revive the site.

Ibrahim Khrais, GAM’s executive director for assets and supply, said a total of 27 tourism offices are located at the park, which remains deserted after the end of their working hours. 

“As soon as they finish work at 6pm, the area becomes deserted, so we want to revive it and attract visitors,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone. 

In the past, the park used to be the main attraction for both Jordanians and tourists alike.

The GAM official said following the economic crisis, many people had to shut down their businesses and gradually the park lost its glamour. 

“It is called a park, which means it has to serve the local community and this is why we wanted to try to restore its appeal,” he added. 

Khrais noted that people can open restaurants, cafés and organise family and entertainment activities. 

“But there will be no agrileh [water pipe] permits in accordance with the law,” he added. 

The official noted that investors will be allowed to construct new buildings or demolish old ones to make their investments successful.

The tourism offices operating at the park are also allowed to propose investments, provided that they are not plans to expand their premises.

The ownership of the constructed buildings will revert to the municipality once the investment contract expires, according to a GAM statement.    

“There will be two more stages to revive the parks but we want to see the results of the first stage in the northern part. It is a 79-dunum area in total,” Khrais added.