In the coming years, a large-scale reconstruction of the streets in Old Riga costing nearly 12 million euros will begin. Authorities promise to make the historic center more convenient and modern, but entrepreneurs fear that prolonged work will lead to a decrease in visitors and losses.
The Riga City Council plans to carry out a large-scale reconstruction of the streets of Old Riga over the next three years, reports TV3 News. The project includes the replacement of damaged cobblestones, the construction of a new stormwater drainage system, and the updating of engineering communications, lighting, and landscaping elements.
One of the main changes will be the return of the historical cobblestones from the Swedish period. For the convenience of pedestrians, they will be treated and polished, and the joints between the stones will be minimized to make it easier to move around the streets, including for people with disabilities.
The work will also affect the intersection of Valņu and Kalķu streets, where the current surface has sunk in places, cracked, and requires replacement. The reconstruction is planned to use historical cobblestones that were previously dismantled from other streets in Riga and preserved.
According to the head of the Public Infrastructure Department of the Riga City Council, Mārtiņš Sliņķis, an important part of the project will be the construction of a stormwater drainage system.
"Currently, there is no separate rainwater drainage system in Old Riga, so precipitation enters the sewage system. The project provides for the creation of a full-fledged stormwater system with a new outlet to the city sewer," he explained.
However, business representatives are cautious about the reconstruction. They fear that the long-term work will reduce visitor traffic and negatively impact the operations of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
The manager of one of the buildings in Old Riga, Dzintars Osis, noted that some tenants are already renovating their premises, and now their plans may coincide with the large-scale reconstruction of Valņu Street.
"What worries me the most is how long the work will take. If the street is closed for a long time, it will create serious problems for both tenants and visitors," he said.
The representative of the restaurants in Livu Square, Jānis Vasiļevs, also believes that the reconstruction period will be challenging for entrepreneurs.
The Riga City Council acknowledges that the project has raised questions among businesses, but emphasizes that the repairs can no longer be postponed.
"Any construction work is associated with inconveniences, but Old Riga has long needed such an update," stated the chairman of the City Development Committee, Edgars Bergholcs.
In addition to street repairs, the project includes the replacement of engineering networks, the installation of new lighting, greening, and the creation of a unified signage system and an interactive information stand.
The total cost of the reconstruction is nearly 12 million euros. About 5 million euros will be provided by the European Regional Development Fund, while the remaining amount will be financed by the Riga City Council and the company Rīgas ūdens.
The reconstruction is expected to not only restore the historical appearance of Old Riga but also solve the long-standing problem of rainwater drainage; however, the next few years will be a serious test for the businesses located there.
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