"There is hope, but it comes with great anxiety — will we be able to afford it financially?" — this is how the residents of the house on Bauskas Street, damaged by a gas explosion earlier this year, speak about their situation. According to initial estimates from the Riga City Council, at least 350,000 euros will be needed to restore the damaged roof and part of the building, reports TV3 News.
The house damaged by the explosion is still considered dangerous. Entry is prohibited, and the area is fenced off. The next step is the dismantling of the damaged structures, which may begin very soon. The local government promises to finance this work, but this is just the beginning of a long process, reports TV3.
Andris Vikse, the senior resident on Bauskas Street, visited the Riga City Council on Tuesday. He is one of those who monitors all issues related to the house on a daily basis. In an interview with TV3, Vikse admitted that the situation remains tense, and the emotions of the residents are so heightened that it is currently unclear how each owner will deal with their property.
"Residents are currently facing maximum problems in establishing a new life because the path will be very long. A difficult path. We have no option — we must stick together. Opinions vary, many do not want to see this house. This is a result of shock, stress," said the senior resident.
Next week, work will begin on dismantling the dangerous structures. This is financed by the Riga City Council. After that, the plan is to reinforce the building by installing supports so that police officers can safely enter the premises. Only after this will apartment owners be able to inspect their property. The uncertainty of what they will find there causes anxiety.
"We have a unique situation — we do not know what we have there. We assume that from the first to the third floor, someone might have a slight idea of what has fallen, what has flooded," said Vikse.
Sixty-one owners have already applied for a repair grant of up to 10,000 euros, and the number of applications is growing every week.
"When the estimator from the department can access the apartments and conduct an inspection, a list of necessary works and an estimate will be drawn up. According to this, each apartment owner will be transferred a monetary amount," explained Dače Zīdeņa, a representative of the Riga City Council's Housing and Environment Department.
However, repairs cannot begin immediately. Zīdeņa explains: "They will not be able to carry out repairs until the building is restored. According to preliminary estimates, at least 350,000 euros is needed to restore the roof and the damaged part of the house."
Meanwhile, many residents of the house on Bauskas are living in anticipation: between the hope of returning home and the anxiety of whether the restoration of the building will be financially feasible for them.
"In an unconventional situation, unconventional solutions are possible. Different funds. It’s a good location. You can talk differently with developers and owners. If you don’t want to talk — sell. But that is still ahead. It will not be sooner than in a year," noted the senior resident.
Residents are grateful to all those who care and provide support during this difficult time by donating through the website "Ziedot.lv."
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