More investment projects underway in Košice will change the face of the city

The Amphitheatre, Crafts Lane and heat exchanger stations SPOTs are additional investment projects within the European Capital of Culture Košice 2013 (ECC) project that have successfully completed the administrative tender process for contractors. Today the buildings were officially turned over to the successful bidders: Inžinierske stavby, a. s., PKB invest, s. r. o., and APS Alkon, a. s.

“Today we started the renovation of three more buildings which are investment projects for the European Capital of Culture. Following the largest and the most important projects, including the Barracks/Kulturpark and Kunsthalle, we received approval for public procurement for the SPOTs, Amphitheatre and Crafts Lane projects and were able to sign contracts with the contractors. Now we can say that we have truly seized our chance from the European Commission and are turning Košice into a more attractive and better place to live thanks to the European Capital of Culture project”, stated Košice’s mayor Richard Raši

A proper environment is needed in order for the city to function better. This is another reason why the transformation of public space and the creation of zones where residents can meet and spend their free time are among the main goals of the Košice 2013 project. “Parks, the Amphitheatre and the Crafts Lane projects all offer people space for relaxation in addition to providing room for culture and artistic production; in order to create such space these buildings and various technical parameters had to be adapted to their future use,” stated the co-author of the winning Košice – European Capital of Culture 2013 Project Michal Hladký with regards to this essential renovation work.

The Amphitheatre was one of the most complicated projects, in particular due to the delay in the schedule caused by a previously tendered, yet financially unrealistic project in the past. However, the city was able to find a more realistic option for this project and the once well-known site for cultural events will be able to serve its original purpose. The dilapidated amphitheatre in Košice will become a multi-functional open space intended for large public cultural, sports and film events. Renovation work primarily involves the main entrance to the site, changes to the stage and seating areas, the refurbishment of audio equipment and the installation of new video equipment. The project has a total value of €926,100 and is being implemented by APS Alkon, a.s.

Crafts Lane is another Košice European Capital of Culture 2013 investment project that is entering implementation this Monday. This group of streets, specifically Rumanova, Vodná, Podtatranského, Mlynská, Stará Baštová and Hrnčiarska, are the traditional artistic quarter in Košice and provide both an excellent location and authentic environment, which are the key prerequisites needed to create a zone attractive for tourists. Until now, developments have been held back by insufficient funding needed to replace damaged walkways and public lighting in the area as well as for the installation of clear navigation signs from Hlavna Ulica and insufficient safety during evening hours. Thanks to this project the situation will change by the end of the year.

The total investment is €884,703.20 to be implemented by the winning bidder, Inžinierske stavby, a. s., and will focus on creating the optimum environment for developing art and culture. “We are replacing damaged walkways and public lighting and installing a camera and monitoring system as well as a pedestrian navigation system. The reconstructed Crafts Lane will connect Hlavna Ulica with another investment project, the Kunsthalle. We are going to expand the city centre and create another attractive zone to be used during a number of cultural activities within the City of Košice Days, Museum Night or White Night events and within new cooperation with the Košice Self-Governing Region on the Terra Incognita programme,” explained Košice’s mayor, Richard Raši.

The water and sewer piping will also be replaced by the Východoslovenská vodárenská spoločnosť concurrent to the reconstruction of the Crafts Lane so that all works would be completed by the end of 2012 and prepared for full integration into the European Capital of Culture project. With respect to the scope of the work involved, it is necessary to include full traffic and partial pedestrian restrictions on the following streets: Hrnčiarska, from Mlynská to Vodná Ulica; Vodná, from Štefánikova to Jesenského Ulica and Rumanová from the bench to Jesenského Ulica. Traffic restrictions are in place until 31. 12. 2012.

Heat Exchangers – SPOTs are among the first ECC investment projects and are partially completed. “The main goal of the SPOTs project is to expand culture out to the broader areas of the city, revitalize neighbourhoods and connect residents to artistic and cultural events during 2013 and beyond,” explained Blanka Berkyová, Executive Director of the Košice 2013, n.o.   As she explained, the project involves the conversion of obsolete heat exchanger stations into community centres, known as culture points, in areas outside the city centre. Two heat exchanger stations in the Terasa neighbourhood have already been converted into such cultural and community centres and have found many fans. Every such station has a specific area of focus and the next four, with work commencing today, will be no different.

The heat exchanger station on Ľudová Street will be focused on supporting modern urban culture, inline skating, indoor skating, hip-hop, break dancing, various competitions and film screenings. The heat exchanger station on Važecká Street will be focused on a creative, multi-media workshop, dance, music and elements of the alpinist sub-culture. The heat exchanger station on Štítová Street will be open to the public to visit an art and ceramics workshop, exhibits, film screenings, workshops and seminars. The heat exchanger station on Wuppertálska Street will be used for artistic workshops and for seminars, discussion forums focused on areas of culture and art gardening.

Total investment into the renovation of the heat exchanger stations to be completed by PKB invest, s.r.o. is €1,322,458.24. Renovation will include complete renovation of the buildings, the creation of multi-functional spaces for cultural and community activities and facilities for staff and visitors, roofing changes to reflect their unique individual uses as well as earthworks and landscaping.

Košice’s mayor, Richard Raši, sent an open letter to residents in connection with the construction work currently underway in Košice asking them for their understanding. “Works of this scope are, of course, a source of discomfort for the duration of construction activities. Construction is always associated with noise, dust and the movement of construction equipment; unfortunately all of this is needed. Košice residents, please give us your understanding and support because we are changing the city for the better for you, your children and your grandchildren,” he added.