canim

Turkish daily News

Cevat Durak, the mayor or İzmir's Karşıyaka district, said a large monument similar to the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty is to be erected in İzmir, the Anatolia news agency reported.


Durak said preparations were under way to construct a permanent symbol of İzmir and that the monument would be so huge it would be visible from every point in İzmir. “Everyone coming into İzmir will be able to see the monument. Conversely, anyone who goes to the top of the monument will see all of İzmir and the gulf.”

According to the mayor, the structure will be made of iron and about 50 meters high. Visitors will be able to ascend to a height of 25 meters by means of three see-through lifts. A special lighting system will illuminate the structure, which will be surrounded by picnic areas, fast-food restaurants, cafes and art exhibits. The total cost is estimated at around YTL 1-1.5 million.






Durak also said a separate culture and arts center is being planned, to be named after Atatürk's mother, Zübeyde Hanım. The center will consist of a multifunctional room with a 3,000-person capacity, a smaller room for seminars with a 15 to 200-person capacity, a parking garage, a hotel with 80 rooms and various areas for children, said Durak, urging the residents of İzmir to provide financial support for the project. “This center means prestige for our city. We do not have anything similar in Karşıyaka. Helping such a center be built is a duty for İzmir residents, too. We expect support from everybody,” said Durak, adding that he would formally introduce the projects at the International Local Government Peace Conference to be held Sunday through Wednesday in Nevşehir.
__________________