Proposal made on altering "Sun Stone" high-rise project
The most rational solution to the present situation would be altering the design project for the "Saules akmens" (Sun Stone) business complex so that it meets Kipsala^apostrofs;s territorial planning, and suspension of construction is not an end in and of itself, Minister of Culture Inguna Ribena and the head of the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection, Juris Dambis, both admitted at a press conference today.
The most rational solution to the present situation would be altering the design project for the "Saules akmens" (Sun Stone) business complex so that it meets Kipsala's territorial planning, and suspension of construction is not an end in and of itself, Minister of Culture Inguna Ribena and the head of the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection, Juris Dambis, both admitted at a press conference today.
Dambis believes that such a decision would possibly reduce violations in the construction process and discontinue the Riga City Council's ignoring the decisions of the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection, which can be ascertained over the past two years.
Dambis informed that the Riga City Council's Architectural Department had issued planning and architectural conditions for the "Sun Stone" complex on February 7, 2002, which stipulate that the project must be coordinated with the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection. The project was submitted for coordination on June 11 last year but on June 25, the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection rejected authorization for the project since it did not comply with regulations set for territorial planning in Kipsala concerning the maximum height of a building - 15 stories.
It was also noted that the building for offices and parking partially were located on a conservation zone.
On July 12, 2002, the Riga City Council's Architectural Department issued new planning and architectural conditions for the "Sun Stone" complex, which differed from the previous one in that it had no requirement to coordinate the project with the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection any longer.
The project has been pushed through numerous responsible authorities, beginning with Riga City acting chef architect Viesturs Briedis.
Dambis pointed out that the Riga's Cultural Monument Protection Inspection is not legally subjected to the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection and both institutions often make contradictory decisions. "The question is not about laws but about the honesty of officials, who often allow themselves to disregard laws," Dambis ascertained.
Ribena expressed satisfaction over Dambis' operations, admitting that the chaos in the territory of the Riga's historic center would be even larger and more "dull skyscrapers" would appear if not for his active operations.
The culture minister demanded seeing the territorial planning diagram for Kipsala, binding regulations and the construction permit for the "Sun Stone" complex. Scrupulous examination of documents would take time. Besides, in Ribena's view, a discussion is needed among legal experts to agree which institutions are to be authorized to revoke construction permit for the project. Ribena and Dambis believe that this institution would be the Riga City Council.
Minister of Regional Development and Local Government Affairs Ivars Gaters was present at the press conference organized by the Ministry of Culture at his own initiative, however, did not interfere in the course of the press conference.
Gaters and Ribena represent the same political party - New Era.
Emilija Kozule LETA
Copyright © LETA
Dambis believes that such a decision would possibly reduce violations in the construction process and discontinue the Riga City Council's ignoring the decisions of the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection, which can be ascertained over the past two years.
Dambis informed that the Riga City Council's Architectural Department had issued planning and architectural conditions for the "Sun Stone" complex on February 7, 2002, which stipulate that the project must be coordinated with the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection. The project was submitted for coordination on June 11 last year but on June 25, the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection rejected authorization for the project since it did not comply with regulations set for territorial planning in Kipsala concerning the maximum height of a building - 15 stories.
It was also noted that the building for offices and parking partially were located on a conservation zone.
On July 12, 2002, the Riga City Council's Architectural Department issued new planning and architectural conditions for the "Sun Stone" complex, which differed from the previous one in that it had no requirement to coordinate the project with the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection any longer.
The project has been pushed through numerous responsible authorities, beginning with Riga City acting chef architect Viesturs Briedis.
Dambis pointed out that the Riga's Cultural Monument Protection Inspection is not legally subjected to the State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection and both institutions often make contradictory decisions. "The question is not about laws but about the honesty of officials, who often allow themselves to disregard laws," Dambis ascertained.
Ribena expressed satisfaction over Dambis' operations, admitting that the chaos in the territory of the Riga's historic center would be even larger and more "dull skyscrapers" would appear if not for his active operations.
The culture minister demanded seeing the territorial planning diagram for Kipsala, binding regulations and the construction permit for the "Sun Stone" complex. Scrupulous examination of documents would take time. Besides, in Ribena's view, a discussion is needed among legal experts to agree which institutions are to be authorized to revoke construction permit for the project. Ribena and Dambis believe that this institution would be the Riga City Council.
Minister of Regional Development and Local Government Affairs Ivars Gaters was present at the press conference organized by the Ministry of Culture at his own initiative, however, did not interfere in the course of the press conference.
Gaters and Ribena represent the same political party - New Era.
Emilija Kozule LETA
Copyright © LETA
