Demolition of the Soviet monument in Victory Park may cost up to EUR 2 million, said Riga’s vice-mayor Vilnis Ķirsis in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma.
He said a project for the monument’s demolition is ready and the administration is looking for construction companies to do the job. Additionally, Riga City Council is waiting for amendments from the Saeima to simplify the whole process.
The demolition method is under consideration as well.
Ķirsis said that the municipal administration will not stall demolition. However, there are complications,
since the object in question «is an enormous slab of concrete which can’t be brought down with a hammer in a single day».
There may be difficulties with securing the necessary equipment since the object is so large. It is possible other countries have to be asked to assist. The current plan provides for the demolition of the entire monument complex. There are also other options to move each part of the monument.
Riga’s vice-mayor admits that the EUR 264 000 residents have donated for the monument’s demolition will be a big contribution to the city council. However, currently it is difficult to estimate the exact cost amount. Estimates suggest it could cost between several hundred thousand to a couple of million euros.
Riga City Council stresses that to speed up the monument’s demolition, the special law should include the section of the Law on Public Procurements that states that appeals of the commission’s decision would not halt the procurement procedure.
Previously the Saeima passed amendments proposed by the Foreign Affairs Committee that cancel the previous legal obstacles preventing the Soviet monument’s demolition in Victory Park. Riga City Council has already voted in favour of the monument’s demolition.
The Victory Monument in Pārdaugava became a hot topic after the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.