According to the mayor, since late May 2024, more than 100,000 tons of residential waste, equivalent to over 200,000 waste containers, have been safely removed from the stadium site. These materials had been stored in the excavation area since 2013. The project is now 90% complete.
The excavation works are progressing well, with the majority of the foundation level excavation finished. The foundation work has already begun in the southeastern part of the site.
In parallel, the expropriation of 80 hectares has been completed—a task that should have been finalized as early as 2000.
On August 21, the demolition permit for the "Apostolos Nikolaidis" stadium was issued, and on August 25, the revised building permit for the new Botanikos stadium was approved.
Currently, the excavation is well underway. The majority of the foundation level has been completed, and the foundation work has started in the southeastern area.
A significant step is the signing and initiation of two major contracts: one for the green spaces and another for infrastructure. While the original timeline set by the Recovery and Resilience Fund was April 30, 2026, this date has been adjusted due to the requirement from the Court of Audit. Further adjustments may occur if there is an extension of the Recovery and Resilience Fund’s duration.
Regarding the amateur sports facilities, there is an agreement with AEP Elaiona (the banks) for the full financing of the facilities. Another challenge that has been addressed was the swimming pool, which was included in the agreement. A revision of the design was made to accommodate the pool within the building line.
The finalization of the pre-contractual review by the Court of Audit for the technical consultant's contract for the stadium is expected soon, as well as funding from the Ministry of Energy.
Upcoming Milestones:
- Declaration of compulsory expropriations at the next City Council meeting on February 26, 2025, followed by filing a petition with the Single-Member Court of Appeals for permission to enter and carry out works before setting unit prices.
- Issuance of the building permit for the amateur sports facilities before the summer of 2025.
- Start of construction for the 215-hectare public green spaces in April 2025.
- Commencement of work on the new Prophet Daniel Avenue in April 2025.
- Beginning of the grandstand construction for the new stadium in September 2025.
- Start of work on the Iera Odos and the bike path in September 2025.
