The 9 ha territory in Vilnius, where the Verkių bus park is now located, will become the largest space for change in the entire city in the coming years. It is planned that the current bus park will move out of the area in 2023, so it is already being considered what value the conversion of this area would create for the city into a multifunctional space with buildings for public spaces, creative activities, public services and residential functions.
"We have a unique opportunity to create a new quarter in a previously closed area, where public spaces and public services will be in harmony with residential use, while maintaining the elements of the old bus park. We have two years to create a vision, as soon as the territory becomes free - we will start implementing it", said the mayor of Vilnius Remigius Šimašius.
22 thousand in the bus park. sq. m hangar is unique due to its size and possibilities of use of internal spaces. Although the condition of the buildings is not good, certain elements of them could be left and included in the new quarter. In the near future, ideas will be sought for what can appear on the hangar site, and first of all, social partners who could implement this building.
The Verkiau bus park is located in a part of the city that was previously intended for industry, and in recent years has been characterized by high rates of change - private areas are being developed, existing production buildings are being converted into studios, lofts or creative spaces, the expansion of Šiaurinė Street is planned, and new ones are being built apartment buildings and business centers.
"Our main task now is to ensure that this new quarter is attractive to Vilnius residents and raise the urban and architectural quality of this entire part of the city. We are already thinking of earmarking a part of the territory for experimental projects, an educational institution could also be located here, as well as spaces for the community. We have already started talking about it both with the residents of the surrounding areas and with businesses that might be interested in contributing to the implementation of huge changes," he said. R. Šimašius.
At yesterday's meeting, the head of this project, advisor to the chief architect of Vilnius, Tadas Jonauskis, presented the current situation of the block and possible development directions together with good foreign examples to the residents, companies located nearby, and developers who purchased plots.
It is planned that public transport will move from the current Verkii bus park to two new bus parks created further from the city center In Pilaite and in Liepkalnis. Vilnius city municipality and the municipal company "Vilnius public transport"is already planning these changes.
Verkiu bus park was built in 1964. At that time, this territory was in the outskirts of Vilnius, according to the General Plan of the city, which is being finalized, this plot falls into the zone of the center of the city part (districts).
Photo: Saulius Žuros
