Construction of Skanste park wrapped up, according to Riga City Council announcement
Riga, the capital city of Latvia, is currently facing uncertainties regarding the completion of the Skanste District Park development project, with a deadline looming to avoid losing European Union funding.
In a recent statement, Riga Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis (New Unity) acknowledged the issues plaguing the project, stating that the service providers involved were not at the highest level. However, he did not specify the nature of the problems or the exact issues with the service providers.
The initial completion date for the project was set for December 2020, but problems with inappropriate soil were identified around the beginning of last year. As a result, the project has come to a standstill, and the city is now planning to complete it by the end of next year to avoid losing EU funding.
Mayor Ķirsis also did not mention any potential consequences if the project is not completed as planned, nor did he specify which expert opinions are ready and which are still in the process. It is worth noting that a total of 10 million euros have already been invested in the project, and the total costs have since increased from 19.5 million euros to 21.5 million euros.
The increase in costs is not entirely clear, as it is not certain whether it is solely due to the service providers or if other factors are also involved. The project is currently facing numerous issues, including settling of the foundation, sinking communications, and pollution problems.
In an effort to address these issues, the city will reportedly go to court due to the problems with the service providers. However, Mayor Ķirsis did not mention when the city plans to take legal action.
Despite the challenges, the City of Riga remains committed to the completion of the Skanste District Park development project, with the hope of providing its citizens with a much-needed green space. The first works contract for the project was concluded between the city's development department and the association of individuals, RR-eko, in March 2020.
As the project continues to progress, updates and further information are expected to be provided to the public. The success of the Skanste District Park development project will not only serve as a testament to the city's resilience but also contribute to the overall improvement of Riga's urban landscape.
