Ground Breaking Ceremony for new Embassy Building in Ta' Qali

Ambassador Bordonaro with Minister Borg, Mr. Toussaint, and Mr. Weber  Full Size

May 22, 2008 was an historic day for the U.S. Embassy.  Ambassador Molly Bordonaro was joined by Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tonio Borg in celebrating the groundbreaking for the new U.S. Embassy in Ta’ Qali.  Mr. Joseph Toussaint, the Overseas Buildings Operations representative who travelled to Malta specifically for the occasion, helped Ambassador Bordonaro to lay the symbolic foundation stone.  In her remarks, Ambassador Bordonaro expressed that “the new embassy is a clear example of the U.S. government’s strong commitment to maintaining the excellent relationship that exists between our two countries.”  Ambassador Bordonaro emphasized that the decision to build the new Embassy came out of the need to modernize and improve current facilities by making them more open to the Maltese people while still meeting conventional security standards.  The Ambassador also announced that the Embassy’s new “American Center,” open to the public, will include a modern conference facility to host digital video conferences as well as space for public presentations about American culture, history, and current affairs.  In unveiling the Embassy’s new architectural design, including its Maltese limestone façade, the Ambassador described the extensive landscaping plan for the property that will use local indigenous vegetation to complement the national park nearby, and mentioned the U.S. government’s $250,000 donation to the Adventure Park within the park, to be used to purchase climbing, fitness and recreational equipment.  Mr. Toussaint remarked on the Embassy’s international certification as a “green” building, featuring the latest strategies for sustainable development, water conservation and energy savings, and that the construction of the Embassy will bring an estimated $20 million to the local economy.

U.S. Embassy Complete Purchase of Property for New Embassy

On Tuesday, December 19, 2006 Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech and U.S. Ambassador Molly Bordonaro completed the sale of the property in Ta' Qali which will be the site of the new U.S. Embassy building.  The U.S. government paid Malta the amount of $18.5 million, the equivalent of approximately 6 million Maltese liri. 

The site is zoned as a commercial and industrial area in the most recent Ta' Qali Action Plan.  It used to house a number of buildings, including the old vote-counting hall, which Maltese contractors have cleared in the past few weeks.  When complete, the Embassy will be flanked on one side by a number of companies, including Sign-It and Attard Bros. and on the other side by a residential area of Attard.  The new Embassy will in no way interfere with the National Park nor impede the public’s access to the recreational facilities. 

Buildings will occupy only about one-quarter of the site, with the remainder used for landscaping and parking.  The site will incorporate the Chancery with several other buildings which the U.S. Government now rents in various parts of the Island, namely a warehouse, the residence of the small Marine Security Detachment (which provides security inside the embassy) and a large parking area for staff and for visitors to the Embassy.  The Consular Section, in particular, has been designed to ensure privacy and comfort for visa applicants and other patrons. 

The Embassy property will be landscaped to enhance the natural environment and to reflect both American and Maltese traditions.  The buildings will include many environmentally-friendly features and will conform to the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.  Maltese police and guards will provide security at the new complex as they currently do at the embassy in Floriana.

The US Embassy has applied for the necessary MEPA permits.  Construction of the new Embassy building is expected to begin once all of the permits have been granted and the U.S. Government gives its final approval to begin the project.  The US Embassy expects construction to begin within the next 12-21 months and the entire project to be completed within the next 3-4 years.  Prior to construction, the U.S. Embassy will publish on its website requests for bids from local companies to participate in the construction.  The project will inject millions of liri into the Maltese economy.  

Ambassador Bordonaro expressed her appreciation for the excellent bilateral relations which exist between the Maltese Government and the U.S. Government and her gratitude to the Maltese Parliament for its unanimous approval of the sale of land and the construction of the new U.S. Embassy in Malta.