ALTINKUM’S main seafront is to undergo a winter of major change as part of a major beautification project to be overseen by Didim Mayor Deniz Atabay.

Mr Atabay made his plans known to seafront traders and building owners at a seminar hosted at Didim Chamber of Commerce’s Culture Centre on Monday October 13.

The conference, entitled “Altinkum and Rehabilitation and Beautification Project,” is part of Mr Atabay’s personal push to get the seafront sorted out over this winter, with a start date of November 7.

A similar project was aired three years ago under the previous mayor Mumin Kamaci, when Mr Atabay was the local tourism chief, but only the seafront pedestrian area was completed. Only some of the buildings on the beach front were refurbed.

Monday’s meeting was attended by Didim’s deputy mayors Ercan Atasoy and Salih Bankoğlu, CHP members of Parliament, civil society organization representatives and Yale Street operators.

As part of his brief, Mr Atabay described his vision with the aid of slides showing how some of the beachfront buildings should look, compared to how they are now.

Mr Atabay acknowledged that there had been various difficulties over the years in trying to rectify a number of issues related to the seafront, known locally as Yale Cadessi.

He said: “Part of the project was done when it was first launched three years ago, but never completed. We all know of the issues, but now we need to find permanent solutions and move on for the good of the area.

“This time there’s no turning back. The plans cannot be done without your support. We want to make sure that Yale Cadessi is alive in the winter and in the summer.”

He showed the traders via a slideshow the current state of the street and where mistakes were being made, compared to slides showing what the avenue could be like.

He said that the council wanted a uniform pergola for all businesses, while it would remove and clean, and look at landscaping issues. Issues such as tables on the seafront, signs and other hazards would also be addressed.

He added: “Changes to be made are very simple. Altinkum should be gleaming. The project is a viable project and one which I hope everyone will rally to and support over this winter in readiness for the 2015 season.”