Changing Fethiye: The New Centre?

For quite a few years now, since the extension to Fethiye's harbour began, we've been hearing rumours that such and such an area is going to be considered the new centre of Fethiye. This apparent 'new centre' has shifted its whereabouts considerably over the years, depending on who you are talking to. 

Recently, we heard a more feasible rumour that work was going to be done around Fethiye's Culture Centre. This makes more sense to us as it will just make the existing centre of Fethiye larger and more accessible. We shall see. As usual, it will happen when it happens and until then, it's pure speculation.

A huge operation is being completed really quickly

To the side of the culture centre, away from Fethiye harbour, there are grids of narrow streets with small businesses lining the footpaths. Pide places, lokantas, florists, internet cafes, car hire offices, jewellers, clothing shops - there's not a lot you can't buy in these streets. But each winter, Fethiye experiences its usual blasts of torrential rain and this area floods within a matter of hours, leaving business owners to clear up once the drains can cope with the water levels and the floods subside.

If you've walked around these streets recently, you will have noticed a lot of disruption (see photo above) and for a while, parts of this area were completely inaccessible as huge holes were dug all along the centre of the roads. Well, a bit of huffing and puffing and the 'Why do they have to do this every year,' rants on my part are being taken back.  

Hayal Cinema, just on the corner, is now in the new pedestrianised area

The holes along the road are huge new drains and the whole area is being pedestrianised; all the cobbles gradually sloping towards the drains. Where before we teetered along narrow footpaths, constantly stepping into the road to avoid plants for sale and tables and chairs, we now have wide boulevards and no cars or scooters to dodge. 

We walked around the streets that are accessible a few days ago and there's a whole new feel to this area now. This could definitely be a new centre for Fethiye. We're predicting the opening of a few new bars and cafes, maybe some High Street clothing chains will venture here...or maybe none of that will happen and it will all just stay the same. 

Whatever happens, of course we'll be writing about it here but, for now at least, let's hope it's an end to the annual winter floods.