The future of Łasztownia was discussed during Salon Morski meeting organized by Business Club Szczecin, Centrum Kultury Euroregionu Stara Rzeźnia and CSL Internationale Spedition. The event was attended by representatives of firms operating in the Szczecin area of the lower Odra valley and local authorities.

 

NBQ has started the first stage of renovation works in two out of four buildings acquired last year and located at Tadeusza Wendy Street. The works are to be completed in February 2016, when the head office of NBQ will be moved to one of the buildings. Renovation timeframe of the remaining two buildings will depend on the company’s access to EU grant for the project. Marek Jasiak, the Chairman of NBQ, intends to offer commercial space to let: ‘The nature of the space will depend on the general development of Łasztownia. We may offer commercial space for restaurants, outlets or offices.’

 

Gryf Nieruchomości, a company managing the area of the former slaughterhouse, holds 18 other buildings for sale. For preservation reasons the buildings are planned to be revitalized with possible floor space extension by 10 percent. This, however, requires a lot of time and determination.

 

A maritime science centre will be developed on the plot facing Trasa Zamkowa. This idea put forward by Olgierd Geblewicz, the Marshal of the West Pomeranian Region and Lech Karwowski, the Director of the National Museum replaced the former plan of constructing a maritime museum. The project will be supported with funds from the multiannual financial framework 2014-2020.

The architectural design has already been developed and 40 percent of necessary funds have already been included in the budget. In order that the project be completed another PLN 60 million (the entire cost of the investment project is ca. PLN 100 million) and another 3-4 years are needed.

 

City development plans assume that the existing free zone and the former free port area, including warehouse 44, will be adapted to constitute modern public space in Szczecin. The zoning plan envisages developments with cultural, commercial, housing and service functions. ‘In order to ensure efficiency of the investment projects, the areas should be excluded from the sea port-related functions,’ says Jarosław Bondar, the City Architect.

 

The most important problem of Łasztownia are ownership issues accompanied by transportation problems discouraging investors. The new Kłodny Bridge (to be built on Nabrzeże Starówka) is supposed to resolve the problem. Szczecin authorities also plan further modernization of boulevards in the section reaching the Grodzka Island marina. In this case the investment schedule will also depend on financing acquired.

 

AK