The repaved lungarno Acciaiuoli has reopened after eight months of renovation with wider footpaths and stone slabs.
The 1.3 million euro regeneration was financed by the city council with a generous tax-break donation by Lungarno Alberghi Srl, the hospitality company owned by the Ferragamo family, and holding Palazzo Feroni Finanziaria.
The work included the total replacement of asphalt with alberese stone slabs and the expansion and re-laying of the pavements in flamed sandstone. The sewers, gas pipes, water tubing and telephone cables have all also been renewed, following the sudden sinkhole along lungarno Torrigiani in May 2016.
The city’s famous flagbearers and a parade from Palazzo Vecchio celebrated the occasion with great fanfare as well as a performance by tenor Maurizio Marchini and ribbon cutting by Florence Mayor Dario Nardella and Leonardo Ferragamo, president of Lungarno Alberghi and CEO Palazzo Feroni Finanziaria.
It also marks another step in pedestrianizing the city. As from September 1, it has been announced that locals and visitors will be able to cycle, free from traffic, from piazza dei Giudici to Ponte Santa Trinita, a move that is being questioned by business owners and opposition political parties due to the possible impact on shops during this difficult time for industry.