A plan by the Thessaloniki city council to redesign the city’s main square has caused a row with a group of local residents who have accused the municipality of making decisions that have not been well thought out.

The opposing residents, who have formed the group “Citizens Association for Environment and Culture,” claim that the architectural study for the 3.5-million-euro project was awarded without a proper tender offer.

“The new proposal validates and legislates the square’s current problems,” the group said yesterday.

The changes to Aristotelous Square will suit bars and cafeterias while ignoring the needs of the disabled, the opponents argue.

The row has a pre-election flavor given that local elections are scheduled to take place in October.

Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos responded by saying that the changes are necessary.

“Local residents are aware that the opponents are backward-thinking people who are against all changes to the square,” he said.