Jerusalem Municipality Stalls the Giant Planned Project at Beitar's Training Ground

The Jerusalem Municipality is blocking the massive 'Emek Zion' construction plan at Beitar Jerusalem's training complex in Beit VeGan. The Israel Land Authority's plan includes 1,650 apartments in five towers but would reduce Beitar's training fields from three to two, located half a kilometer apart. The municipality opposes the split, and the district committee hearing was canceled.

The Jerusalem Municipality is blocking the massive 'Emek Zion' construction plan at Beitar Jerusalem's training complex in Beit VeGan. The Israel Land Authority (ILA) plan spans 194 dunams and includes building 1,650 apartments in five towers, four of which are 50 stories and one 40 stories. About 30 dunams of the area currently contain three soccer fields used by all Beitar departments. The plan leaves only two fields, half a kilometer apart, with one to be built on the roof of a commercial center and not up to standard. The municipality argues such a split would harm the association's functioning. The district planning and building committee hearing was canceled at the municipality's request, and the ILA is seeking alternatives, including extending the roofing of Highway 16. Mayor Moshe Lion stated that development will not come at the expense of the training complex. The ILA said it is cooperating to find alternative sites. The plan also includes areas for employment, commerce, and expansion of Shaare Zedek Hospital funded by a donation from Jan Koum.