For many years now, this abandoned building, whose owners do not seem to care about its fate, has not only become an environmentally degrading object but also poses a real security threat to the population, The building has become a gathering place for homeless people and drug addicts, where emergency services are constantly called to deal with various cataclysms. But the technical condition of the building itself is deteriorating by the day.
However, a year after the decision of the Council, the site has still not been dismantled.
At a meeting of the Daugavpils City Council on June 15 last year, deputies unanimously decided on a proposal by Igors Aleksejevs to demolish the former sewing factory building at 95 Stacijas Street.
"The decision of the City Council is in favor of forced demolition works. [..] It will be at the expense of the municipal budget, we will carry out a procurement."
The tender was carried out, there was a lot of interest among the business community for the demolition of this property, the tender was held. However, more than a year has passed, and this decision, which should have been carried out with haste, has still not been implemented. This is confirmed by Santa Pupiņa, Head of the Urban Planning and Construction Department of Daugavpils City Municipality.
"Yes, last year there was a decision of the City Council and an urgent tender was announced, and before that, there was a technical survey, in which experts pointed out that this building should be demolished. Seven bidders applied for the demolition and ATR Ltd won with the amount of 66,000 euros excluding VAT. The construction company has been contracted, has drawn up the demolition documentation and has submitted it to the construction information system. Unfortunately, there is a hitch in the paperwork, which is the permit from the National Cultural Heritage Administration. [..]
"Although the historic building itself has no value as a cultural monument, it is located in the historic centre of the city and, as far as we know, the heritage administration wants to preserve it within the quarter."
This property in Daugavpils is in fact a complex the size of a block, with an industrial building, a workshop, a pass-through point, two warehouses, and two barns. After decades of neglect, this property has become a real threat, says the city's construction board.
Residents of neighbouring buildings are also alarmed by the presence of such a building.
"For three days in a row we had to call the fire brigade to put out the flames, because it was constantly burning. Just recently, my husband called the rescuers again."
"There are young people, drug addicts, and I am interested in seeing the building demolished sooner because I am afraid that my wooden house might burn down."
The National Heritage Board will issue its opinion on Monday, according to Dace Krēgere, an expert who evaluated the site.
The demolition of the building complex must be completed by October. It is likely to be a difficult operation and may take some time. If this happens, this will be the first time in Daugavpils that the municipality, at its own expense, dismantles private property.
