"Lietuvos geležinkėlių (LTG)" group continues Vilnius railway station the territory renewal project "Vilnius Connect". In order to implement the project in the most efficient way, a feasibility study for the implementation of "Vilnius Connect" has been started. It will be carried out by the consulting company "Peritus Sprendimas", selected through public procurement, with which a contract has already been signed.
"Implementation of the Vilnius railway of the station renewal project "Vilnius Connect", which creates a multifunctional space that will change both the experience of train passengers and the face and quality of life of the surrounding districts. We believe that this project, due to its scale and uniqueness, can be interesting for business as well, so we are undertaking an analysis of different scenarios for the further progress of the project, which will include the implementation of the project by way of concession and possible alternative sources of financing. All this will make it possible to make an analysis-based decision on the best and fastest way to implement this important project for the city", - says Žilvinas Abaravičius, head of the Vilnius Connect program.
During the feasibility study, based on legal, technical, economic and market analysis, the consultants will provide a detailed assessment of the public-private cooperation (concession) method of Vilnius Connect implementation and will offer the best project development alternative and implementation guidelines. It is planned that the feasibility study will be prepared in the second quarter of next year.
Based on the results of the feasibility study, the LTG Group will decide whether the project will be implemented through a concession.
Conversion of industrial zones is interesting for business
As the representatives of the Lithuanian Real Estate Development Association (LNTPA) emphasize, the renovation project of the Vilnius railway station is interesting for business for several reasons - primarily because of the vision to connect the southern part of the city with the center and great opportunities for the conversion of industrial zones.
"All initiatives to bring the public and private sectors into partnership are welcome. There are such successful examples in Lithuania, but not enough. Why such a project is interesting for business - due to its scale, influence, impact on the surrounding districts, connecting the southern part of the city with the city center, because the entire territory is being transformed, it is interesting and relevant how much can be built there, raising the value of the surrounding plots, the territory has the potential for conversion. We would like to wish that interested business entities with experience in the implementation of such projects not only in Lithuania would be included in the preparation of the study, so that the content would be as practical, targeted and implementable as possible", said Mindaugas Statulevičius, president of LNTPA.
Preparations are being made for the start of design work
LTG Group has approved financing for the first phase of design works. Public procurement procedures are currently underway, and upon their completion, a contract for design services will be signed with the architect company Zaha Hadid Architects, which won Vilnius city municipalities and the architectural competition announced by the company "LTG Infra", which takes care of infrastructure modernization and development.
The first stage of design work will last until the third quarter of 2024, and the duration of all design work provided for in the project will depend on the chosen method of financing the other stages. During the first design phase, the decisions of the architectural competition will be clarified and coordinated with the authorities in accordance with the applicable legislation. Necessary surveys of the territory will be carried out, solutions for connecting to engineering networks will be provided. These design proposals will become part of the task for the next design stage - to prepare a technical project.
After all the design stages are completed, the contract works project will be prepared. After that, a contract tender will be announced. Zaha Hadid Architects, which performed the design work during the contract work, will also perform the construction project supervision work.
New spaces and convenient connections
The studio "Zaha Hadid Architects", which won the architectural competition announced by the company "LTG Infra" and the Vilnius City Municipality, presented the idea "Green Connect", which aims to establish a modern multifunctional center with public spaces. One of the solutions offered by the studio is about 9 sq. m. m building above the railway tracks, connecting Naujininkai district with Naujamiestis and Old Town. Commercial spaces and a new passenger waiting hall with direct access to the platforms should be located in this building. Convenient connections for pedestrians and cyclists are also provided above the tracks.
During the implementation of the project, it is planned that the Station Square and the city of Vilnius will also change public transport terminal. Responsible for these changes in the project Vilnius city municipality.
