Discount Defiance by Via Roma Shopkeepers Amid Absence of Tari Incentives
Pedestrianizing Via Roma, But No Tax Breaks for Shopkeepers
Hey there! Let's talk about a current topic in Turin, Italy. The main street, Via Roma, is undergoing a 14-month pedestrianization project. While this sounds great for promoting a more walkable city, not all shopkeepers are excited about it.
That's because, unlike during last year's Via Po renovation, no tax breaks will be offered to shopkeepers on Via Roma. City Councilor Elena Maccanti has criticized this decision, stating that the construction sites will reduce the income of these businesses.
The Differences between Via Roma and Via Po
Maccanti brought up the fact that last year, the municipality had applied a 40% discount on the waste tax for shopkeepers on Via Po, which was closed for over a year for tram track renovations. Yet, Via Roma, despite its longer construction period, has been excluded from this benefit.
According to Councilor Gabriella Nardelli, discounts can only be applied for businesses located in areas closed to traffic for public works lasting more than six months. She explains that in Via Roma's case, construction sites won’t impact traffic, making tax breaks unnecessary. However, Maccanti argues that this reasoning is unjust, as even Via Po had arcades, but discounts were still granted to shopkeepers.
The Construction and Future Plans
Construction in Via Roma began two months ago and is expected to continue until April 2026. Currently, they are working on the stretch between Piazza San Carlo and Piazza Castello, which has been car-free for years. At the end of the construction, the entire axis will be pedestrianized.
The project, worth 12 million euros, aims to revamp the paving and pedestrian crossings. Unlike Via Po's closure, the construction on Via Roma is considered an "anticipation" of the pedestrianization measure, making tax breaks unlikely.
A Beautiful Street, but At What Cost?
Shopkeepers in the Valentino Park area and Borgo Dora have previously enjoyed tax discounts, and those in nearby streets have been helped as well. But, Guido Gobino, owner of the store on Via Lagrange (an isolated block away), says the construction sites do impact their work, and they hope they will be closed as soon as possible.
In conclusion, while the pedestrianization of Via Roma may turn it into one of Europe's most beautiful streets, shopkeepers are skeptical about the lack of tax breaks during construction. The reasons behind this decision remain unclear, but it's believed to be due to differences in the nature, duration, or policy framework of this closure compared to previous ones like Via Po. Keep an eye on this story for updates!
- The shopkeepers on Via Roma are concerned about their financial situation because, unlike the shopkeepers on Via Po last year who received a 40% discount on the waste tax during their street's renovation, they have not been offered any similar tax breaks during the current 14-month pedestrianization project, despite the longer construction period.
- The average business owner in the retail industry might find it challenging to sustain their operations during extensive construction projects like the one on Via Roma, especially when financial support, such as tax breaks, are not provided.
