city ​​authorities lure people to the center

Will there be any point?

Troubles for Old Riga were created by the authorities themselves, and a long time ago – back in 2020, with the beginning of the pandemic. It was easy to close restaurants and hotels by government decision, but business has not yet recovered from that blow.

Understanding the seriousness of the problem, the Riga municipality has prepared an action plan. The plan includes the installation of more than 200 various landscaping elements and the reconstruction of a number of streets in Vetsriga.

The municipality also plans to install several street art objects, develop public open spaces on Valnu Street, Theater Square, Independence Square, 13 January Street and 11 November Embankment.

Local government representatives have already presented their plans to entrepreneurs operating in West Riga. But business was very skeptical about the Duma’s plans and urged them to first think about creating favorable conditions for entrepreneurs and how to reduce their costs. Restaurants and shops are stifled by unaffordable rent, and some of the empty premises belong to the Riga City Council. She could rent them out to a failing business at a reasonable price. But no, it’s too difficult. It’s easier to install new benches – but will they be of any use?

Urns and furniture

“Starting from July, more than 100 boxes with green spaces, more than 70 benches, at least 25 trash cans and five bicycle racks will be installed in the Old Town. On Town Hall Square, Reformation Square, Valnu, Kaleju, Skarnu streets and other places new street furniture that will replace outdated elements and create new recreation areas,” reports the Riga City Council.

Art objects will be placed in several places in the Old City. Their designs will be selected through a competition that ends at the end of April. The objects must be long-term and operated for at least three years with the possibility of their subsequent relocation to other areas of the city, the Duma reported.

As before, it is planned to attract visitors to the Old Town through cultural and sporting events of various sizes. This year, public viewings of various international sporting events will be organized in the center of the capital.

Two major projects

In parallel, the municipality began work on projects to develop public open spaces in the Old Town.

According to the Duma, one of the largest projects for the coming years is the redevelopment of Valnu Street and Theater Square. As part of the project, Valnu Street will be converted into a pedestrian street and renovated, and new lighting will be installed. The project is co-financed from the European Regional Development Fund.

The second significant project is the reconstruction of Independence Square (the one at the Freedom Monument). It is planned to launch a design competition in the second half of this year to find the best urban planning and artistic solution.

In addition, in the second half of the year, a feasibility study for the development of 13 January Street and public open space will be launched, which is a continuation of the project implemented by the municipality to integrate the Rail Baltica infrastructure into the urban environment. Its goal is to develop the reconstructed embankment on the territory of 13 January Street next to Rail Baltica, to create an attractive and comfortable public open space that continues the boulevard ring around the Old Town. The redevelopment of the site is expected to revitalize the surrounding area and stimulate economic activity. As part of this project, it is also planned to organize a transport hub at the station, Riga International Bus Station, Riga Central Market and Old Riga.