The municipality-owned SIA Rīgas nami is overshadowed by its almost identical namesake, SIA Rīgas namu pārvaldnieks. No wonder, as the latter handles the daily lives of a significant portion of the city's residents – and, moreover, it is intended to be privatized. But what lies ahead for Rīgas nami?
Owners and Property Managers
In March, the Riga City Council's Committee on Municipal Property, led by Dainis Locis (National Alliance), considered the issue "On the Definition of the Strategic Goal of SIA Rīgas nami." It turned out, among other things, the following: "The general strategic goals are directly related to the management and maintenance of real estate, development, restoration, and maintenance of real estate (municipal housing stock and other properties) that are significant for national representation, including market areas."
To ensure objectivity, "an independent assessment on the specified issue was provided by the law firm Cobalt." There was much to delve into. After all, SIA Rīgas nami, according to contract No. RN-2022-295-lī/2.8-4, concluded back on April 25, 2022, i.e., during the tenure of Mayor Mārtiņš Staķis, "provides management and trading activities for the Riga Central Market." Likewise, the municipal enterprise's competence includes "unused property in economic activity at Kalku Street 1."
Well, how can it be unused? Your author had the opportunity at the end of last year to visit our Alma Mater, open to the members of the Riga City Council – a building constructed for the party school that then served for half a century as the main building of the Riga Polytechnic Institute, and later the Riga Technical University. The wing facing the Daugava River – where the dean's office of our Engineering and Economics Faculty was located – is cordoned off with yellow warning tape. It's slowly settling! Meanwhile, another part, facing the Town Hall Square, is filled with quite noticeable renovation and construction noises. I peeked into one former classroom – under lively music, workers are doing cosmetic repairs. This is explained by the fact that here, in the interiors of socialist realism architecture, a movie is being filmed. And a little money is trickling in. And you say there is no economic activity.
Rīgas nami also holds the right to "manage 542 real estate properties, which are mainly used as educational, cultural, sports institutions, libraries, and children's and youth centers." In total, Rīgas nami manages real estate with a total value of 200,000,000 euros, including 2,556,242 m² of land and 1,963,411 m² of buildings.
Ambiguous Image
Since 2016, i.e., in the blessed times of Nils Valērija, the "transfer of residential buildings" of the municipality into gratuitous use began. As a result, today SIA Rīgas nami manages 6,143 apartments, a normal regional center by Latvian standards. And starting from January 1, 2026, 7 buildings from the municipal housing stock were also received from RNP.
However, in the recent past, the enterprise has been fundamentally criticized for mismanagement (Ainars Šlesers from "Latvia First" – for the current roof at the Central Market) and the opacity of its pricing policy (Julia Stepanenko from "Sovereign Power/Young Latvians" for the rental cost of market stalls ranging from 39 to 105 euros per m² per month). Whether this is a lot or a little can be judged by the offer from SIA Rīgas nami to rent a café in the Congress House – for 5 euros per m² per month. There seem to be no takers...
The head of the Capital Management Department, Ilze Spule-Statkus, noted at the RD Committee meeting that the Rīgas nami enterprise has recently significantly consolidated municipal assets – it now includes SIA Rīgas Centrāltirgus, SIA Rīgas pilsētbūvnieks, SIA Rīgas serviss. Nevertheless, in her assessment, the municipality's participation may be reduced. First of all, of course, it is necessary to consult with the Competition Council, non-governmental organizations – and only then present it for a vote at the plenary session of the RD.
The chairman of the board of Rīgas nami, Ojārs Vālers (salary in the position according to the declaration for 2024 - 81,037.83 EUR), emphasized that the municipality-owned real estate also carries a security function. Indeed, even in the pavilions of the Central Market, there are calming green signs: "Shelter," indicating the legendary underground hangars for zeppelins.
– This is only our internal matter, of the committee, so let's move to the vote, - said Dainis Locis. And the result is: 9 "for," 1 "against" (Rudolfs Bremanis from "Sovereign Power/Young Latvians") and another 5 "abstained." The director of the municipal property department, Vladimir Ozoliņš, further reported that the municipality's share in SIA Rīgas nami should be reduced. Ilze Spule-Statkus explained that with new housing construction on municipal lands, part of it goes towards repaying the loan.
Vladislav Bartashevich ("Latvia First") asked the official about the amount of "live money" being discussed.
– Many millions, - I. Spule-Statkus said somewhat vaguely. However, she immediately emphasized that "as a result of the transaction, all property becomes the property of the municipality."
O. Vālers explained that the matter concerns development on Ulbrokas Street, where land is being removed from the capital of SIA Rīgas nami, "not calculating in cash – but thus excluding..." And this will continue until 2029 (coincidentally, until the end of the term of this composition of the RD!)
There Will Be No Large Privatization
But, unlike RNP, Rīgas nami remains a municipal enterprise. As stated in the document for the Council:
"It is important to note that by maintaining participation in the capital society, the municipality ensures direct influence on the strategic decisions of the enterprise, financial planning, and setting priorities. This allows acting in the interests of the community, rather than being guided solely by commercial considerations. The municipality has the opportunity to control the quality of services, the expenditure of budget funds, and long-term investment plans, which are essential for the transparency and accountability of public governance."
Golden words! Now we will know whom to hold accountable, for example, for the condition of school buildings. Or, for instance, for the pearl of post-war architecture – the "Spilve" airport building, erected by Moscow architect Sergey Ivanovich Vorobyov (1881-1971), which has been leased for 25 years. The lease term, by the way, ends next year.
HOW MUCH THE CITY IS RENTING OUT
In the "Jekabs Barracks," two halls are looking for a frugal owner – 68 and 60 m², plus a utility room of 43 m², which can be turned into a restaurant, for only 2000 euros per month. Meanwhile, in the warehouses near the Central Market, they are asking for 5.70 euros per m².
