Plan surfaces on exchanging existing agriculture ministry building for another
The newspaper "Neatkariga Rita Avize" (NRA) reports today about a letter at its disposal, addressed to Prime Minister Andris Berzins, concerning the Ministry of Agriculture^apostrofs;s building at 2 Republikas laukums in Riga. A bill is being covertly pushed through by the government which stipulates turning over the high-rise building to another owner through an exchange.
The newspaper "Neatkariga Rita Avize" (NRA) reports today about a letter at its disposal, addressed to Prime Minister Andris Berzins, concerning the Ministry of Agriculture's building at 2 Republikas laukums in Riga. A bill is being covertly pushed through by the government which stipulates turning over the high-rise building to another owner through an exchange.
Until now, turning over the building by concession was discussed. The Cabinet of Ministers had made a decision about concession already in 2001 with the purpose of finding the best alternative for maintenance of the building and its renovation. However, no specific decision about the 30-year concession for the building was made.
According to the letter, the ministry would exchange the 25-story building (9,000 square meters and 13,537 square meters of land) for another property. The procedure must be carried out by the Latvian Privatization Agency (LPA) according to the newspaper.
Galina Girsa from the ministry's budget and finance department, who is responsible for working out the documentation, expressed her bewilderment over the information leak. She informed that the draft bill would be reviewed today by the government. However, the agenda of the Cabinet meeting today shows no point on the ministry's building.
Girsa declined to name the initiator of the idea. The official told the newspaper that it has been determined that the building is in critical state and should be repaired. A competition on rights to evaluate the building will be announced after the government passes the bill.
Whereas Dagnija Muceniece, the head of the Agriculture Ministry's press and public relations department, informed that no explanation about the exchange of property from Minister of Agriculture Atis Slakteris can be made at this time because he is vacationing in England. "Augstceltne Ltd." manages the building and the company's vice president Arnis Ziverts informed that his firm had not carried out any probe on the condition of the building but, in his opinion, it does require repair.
Several real estate experts polled by the newspaper share the same opinion about the price which could be requested for the building.
"Nira fonds" President Vadims Markovs stressed that the building is commercial space and all revenues and expenses, as well as other parameters, must be determined for an exact assessment of its value. According to preliminary estimates, the price could be between USD 7 million and USD 10 million, in his view. The price of the renovated edifice would be considerably higher.
Whereas real estate expert Ainars Skapars believes that the land property could cost about USD 70 - USD 100 per square meter, whereas construction - USD 800 - USD 1000 per square meter. Overall, the price for the building could be between USD 7.2 million to USD 9 million. The price for the renovated premises could be USD 1,400 per square meter.
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Until now, turning over the building by concession was discussed. The Cabinet of Ministers had made a decision about concession already in 2001 with the purpose of finding the best alternative for maintenance of the building and its renovation. However, no specific decision about the 30-year concession for the building was made.
According to the letter, the ministry would exchange the 25-story building (9,000 square meters and 13,537 square meters of land) for another property. The procedure must be carried out by the Latvian Privatization Agency (LPA) according to the newspaper.
Galina Girsa from the ministry's budget and finance department, who is responsible for working out the documentation, expressed her bewilderment over the information leak. She informed that the draft bill would be reviewed today by the government. However, the agenda of the Cabinet meeting today shows no point on the ministry's building.
Girsa declined to name the initiator of the idea. The official told the newspaper that it has been determined that the building is in critical state and should be repaired. A competition on rights to evaluate the building will be announced after the government passes the bill.
Whereas Dagnija Muceniece, the head of the Agriculture Ministry's press and public relations department, informed that no explanation about the exchange of property from Minister of Agriculture Atis Slakteris can be made at this time because he is vacationing in England. "Augstceltne Ltd." manages the building and the company's vice president Arnis Ziverts informed that his firm had not carried out any probe on the condition of the building but, in his opinion, it does require repair.
Several real estate experts polled by the newspaper share the same opinion about the price which could be requested for the building.
"Nira fonds" President Vadims Markovs stressed that the building is commercial space and all revenues and expenses, as well as other parameters, must be determined for an exact assessment of its value. According to preliminary estimates, the price could be between USD 7 million and USD 10 million, in his view. The price of the renovated edifice would be considerably higher.
Whereas real estate expert Ainars Skapars believes that the land property could cost about USD 70 - USD 100 per square meter, whereas construction - USD 800 - USD 1000 per square meter. Overall, the price for the building could be between USD 7.2 million to USD 9 million. The price for the renovated premises could be USD 1,400 per square meter.
LETA LETA
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