The municipality of the capital Vilnius municipality plans to build an observation tower in the Šnipiškii microdistrict.
The 18-meter observation tower will be located in an area of approximately 80 acres between Giedraičiai, Kintai and Kaltanėnai streets, where there are currently metal garages - in addition to the tower, it is planned to install commercial pavilions and exercise equipment here.
"We aim to organize that area, to establish a normal public space, and one element of that space, after agreeing with the community and listening to their wishes, is the observation tower. The goal is that you can go up and see the protected area of wooden heritage, which is on both sides of Giedraičiai street," Deputy Director of City Development Rūta Matonienė told BNS.
She confirmed that this would be the first observation tower in Vilnius, it would be made of metal and wooden structures, similar to those recently built in the country's national and regional parks.
According to her, the idea of the tower was proposed by the residents themselves, so far only its design proposals have been prepared. If the procedures go smoothly, construction would begin in 2019, and the space itself with the tower will be installed around the mid-2020s. It is planned that the total cost of cleaning the place, construction of the tower and other buildings will be almost 2,2 million. EUR: 165 thousand each EUR 1,87 million will be allocated by the Vilnius Municipality and the Ministry of the Interior. EUR is expected from the funds of the European Union.
The garages in the mentioned area have been standing for several decades, on state land, without any lease agreements.
According to R. Matonienė, a children's playground and rest areas will be installed in the territory.
Vidas Urbonavičius, the chairman of the Control Committee of the Vilnius municipality, representative of the opposition conservatives, says he is surprised that the Municipal Economy and Services Committee of the municipality agreed on Thursday to more than halve the funds allocated for the management of the entire Šnipiškii territory, instead allocating money only for the maintenance of a specific place and the tower. According to him, the project was submitted by Lina Melianienė, head of the Investment Projects Management Department.
"I asked - what is this?" They explained to me that we are building a tower, we are installing a public space four times smaller than it was. Previously, it was planned to clean up all Šnipiške, all public spaces. It was decided to build a tower instead of maintenance, because they don't have time to absorb European money," V. Urbonavičius told BNS.
On Thursday, the capital city council planned to refine the integrated territory development program, but the issue was not considered without a quorum. It actually stipulates that instead of managing a much larger area, which includes Lviv, Kernavė, Žalgiris, Daugeliškių, Fina, Kalvarijų streets, the aforementioned area will be limited. Investments are also expected to be reduced - from 3,62 mln. up to 1,77 million euros.
Representatives of the municipality assured BNS that it is planned to manage the entire territory of Šnipiškii and promised to provide detailed explanations regarding the investment on Friday.
Author: Ignas Jačauskas
