Two months after the restoration of Strēlnieku Square, the municipality has come up with a new idea. Next year, it is planned to set up benches, chairs, tables, and plant shrubs, flowers, and possibly trees. The area is to be restored in its historic form. It is also planned to eliminate a small driveway between the Grēcinieku and Kaļķu streets, where tourist buses usually stop.
Three tourist carrier buses parked at the square within 15 minutes, as observed by Latvian Radio. Bus driver from Riga City Tour and Hansabuss Edgars Cirsis said that the changes in the area would have a significant impact on his company. He cannot imagine where else in the old town the double-decker bus could park.
Inese Andersone, head of the City Development Committee of Riga City Council (“New Unity”), said: “One is in the Triangula bastion; there is a place for tourist buses. Of course, buses will be able to come and let people on and off at Kaļķu and Grēcinieku Street [..]There are big parking places on the embankment. So you'll find the optimal solutions in the vicinity of Old Riga."
Cirsis has a skeptical view at these places, saying that they are inconvenient for tourists and for vehicles.
A stop for buses could be created in front of the former Riga Technical University (RTU) building. According to Ilmārs Millers, representative of the Riga Centre Development Society, indicating that 'a parking space for private vehicles in the heart of the city is unacceptable' and should be eliminated as soon as possible. On the other hand, he considered the idea of developing Strēlnieku Square as a positive one, adding that there was a need to plant trees in the area.
The project worth around half a million euros could be launched already this year.
