I read recently in Rick Steves that the CT, and specifically Vernazza, is going to be getting some updates over the next few years (ie in Vernazza a new waterfront piazza, refurbishing the church, a new disabled access elevator at the staton). Does anyone have any good info on this? I'm curious if any of these projects are already underway, or if by this spring/summer they will be? Not sure we want to stay there if all this is going to be going on.

ttt

Uh-oh, can the escalator replacing the stairs at Corniglia and the corner WalMart be far behind?

When I was in Vernazza a year ago, the new waterfront piazza looked like it was nearly finished.
I guess this is considered progress, but the place looked nothing like the Vernazza I knew from several years back - there is now a ticket booth at the entrance to the hike, and the train station looked more like the souvenier shop of the Hard Rock Cafe than a ticket depot of a sleepy little town. Bah humbug!

I should have expected this with the ever-increasing surge of tourists year after year, but it's still a shame. Anyone have any idea of projects intruding in the place now or in the coming months?