As we previously reported, there are major plans for what is supposed to happen to the area around Korčula's bus station, which is also a main entrance to the Korčula town for all those arriving by car, in the next year or two. 

The first change, which we announced would happen very soon, has already been completed. As we've reported a couple of weeks ago, the removal of the (some would say quite ugly) concrete structure that has been hovering above the bus station was going to happen. And, what can we say, it has happened!

The officials in Korčula were quite careful with giving the timeline how long the works on the removal might last, since they were not quite sure how easy it would be to actually remove the concrete, but I guess it was in fact quite easy. As of a couple of days ago, I can happily report that the structure is no more, and this morning the entire protective shield that was erected around the building to protect it from any damage the demolition might've brought upon it has also been removed.

The road blocks are still around the perimeter of the site, as it has obviously not been fully prepared to take buses again safely, but the bulk of the work has been done in the past couple of weeks. And it seems to have been done without any damage to the remainder of the bus stop.

And one important note: the Tisak kiosk located in the bus station building seems to be working again, which is of course excellent news for those needing a little something for their nicotine addiction, as well as for the school kids taking the bus to and from home, who are (let's be honest) the biggest buyers at the kiosk every day anyway! 

The preparations for the removal of the (some would say ugly, not sure how many those who wouldn't call it there are at all) concrete structure above the Korčula bus station, in the centre of the town, have started, and it is expected that the removal should be completed by Easter.

The current appearance of the Korčula bus station is set to change drastically, and is a part of a larger project that includes a private company owning the bus station itself, the town of Korčula and the Korčula ACI marina (which is right next to the bus station). ACI Marina Korčula director Marko Skokandić, who happens to currently be the head of the Town Assembly of Korčula explained to Dora Lozica at Dubrovački Vjesnik what the plans are:

The marina has purchased the bus station from the private company, and the removal of the concrete structure is the first step (in addition to it not being esthetically pleasing, it is also getting dangerous for anything under it). The actual removal will not be easy, and the bakery and the kiosk located in the bus station building will temporarily be closed, and building protected. The traffic in the zone will be slowed down, and the buses will let people get on and off them at the entrance to the Marina, right next to the station.

After that phase, the second step in the plan is to build an underground garage with 200 parking spots, which should solve the problem of parking in Korčula. The new ACI hotel is also planned, with highest standard of service, and the location where the bus station is will be turned into a roundabout for buses and taxis. And once the Liburna building across the street is fully restored, the entrance to Korčula will be completely different. The bus station should be moved to a different location, near the health center, where another roundabout should be built.

All of those steps will come after the tourist season of 2019, including the reconstruction of the breakwater in the marina.