The long overdue renovation of the central square in Rousse has commenced, with construction work finally underway after a prolonged bureaucratic delay, Bulgarian television channel bTV said on November 8 2010.

The project will cost 10 million leva, and will be financed by the European Fund for regional development, while the local municipality will contribute a further 850 000 leva. The last time the square was renovated was more than 25 years ago.

The reconstruction process was delayed for more than six months because of several public procurement appeal procedures, while another major project in the city - the renovation of three iconic buildings - the Pantheon of National Revival, the Rousse Library and the Art Gallery are still subject to court action.

The project will encompass an area of about 40 acres, and once it is completed, it will retain the existing design composition of pedestrian areas and green belts, the lanes and approaches to the theatre, as well as other buildings such as the courthouse, and opera house, the report said.

Additionally, the fountains will be refurbished, and a new "dry" fountain will be built.

"This project will not only preserve the atmosphere and the spirit of the Rousse, but it will renovate it by adding landscaping, it will replace materials that are already severely weathered and worn out and it will expand the city center with the improvement of the largo leading to the opera," architect and designer Venelina Bochoukovska told bTV.