The mayor told of his two meetings with investor Alexander Gusakov, a Russian citizen whose Latvian-registered company Park Hotel Kemeri was announced Monday as the sole bidder acquiring the troubled historic spa in auction last Friday.
“In fact, this is a group of investors that came to council together to talk about their further plans together with French firm Vichy, known not just for its mineral water and cosmetics lines, but also its chain of SPA hotels,” said Truksnis, adding that the investor has already proven himself in similar functioning objects in Switzerland and Germany.
He said the Jurmala City Council planned to invest about €10m by the year 2010, including improvements to the Kemeri National Park wetlands reserve facilities, as well as town infrastructure development projects such as a new water tower.
Mayor Truksnis expressed confidence that the cooperation between the local government and the investors would result in a “complete transformation” within five years.
However, he began the interview by reminding viewers that Jurmala’s official position has always been that the former owner of the unique architectural monument and adjacent parklands – the state – should be the prime custodian and financing coordinator for a project of such national-cultural significance, but that no government has ever wished to own up to the responsibility.
