What was discussed with Finance Minister about former 6th Primary School building
6th Primary School
02 Mar 2023
/ 21:24
ATHENS. There is little chance that the terms of the contract will be changed, according to the Finance Minister.
The Finance Minister Christos Staikouras met with the Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa to discuss the possible concession of the former 6th Primary School building to the Ionian Islands Region for free and indefinitely. Present at the meeting were the leaders of the ANASA party Theodoros Galiatsatos, the 'Ionios Simahia' party Spyros Spyrou and the LASY party Alexandra Balou, as well as the Garitsa Park Cultural Society President Alekos Vergis and the ETAD managing director Panayiotis Balomenos.
The meeting took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Ministry of Finance, following the unanimous decision of the Regional Council in January, on the issue of the former 6th Primary School building.
What the Cultural Society said
The Garitsa Park Cultural Society delivered a file with photos and data showing the neglect of the building that is ready to collapse, while the poor condition of other important buildings was also discussed, such as the Corfu National Sports Centre, for which photos were presented as well. A folder with the printed material of the 6th Primary School was also handed over to the ETAD managing director and it was proposed, apart from changing some of the terms of the contract (price, duration), to use the building for educational, cultural and social activities.
Special reference was made to the current condition of the building. Mr. Vergis pointed out the necessity of immediate restoration, as it is in danger of collapsing.
Limited possibilities
At the meeting, which lasted about an hour, a promise was made to consider the possibility of changing some of the terms of the contract for the concession of the building to the Region.
Mr. Staikouras, however, clarified that the possibilities are limited, since the property does not belong to the state. Thus, he cannot intervene as it is owned by ETAD, which aims to utilise the properties of the state and not to dispose of them.
Regarding the determination of the price (€12,000 per year for 25 years), Mr. Balomenos explained that this was set by an external valuer and that normally for the concession of the property a complete study and secured funding are required. In this case, however, the concession is made without them, while no other utilisation of the property is planned, as has been done elsewhere.
Concern
Speaking to Enimerosi, Mrs. Kratsa expressed her concern regarding the revision of the contract by the ETAD Board, as she estimated that the terms will not be favourable this time. The Region has submitted a proposal for funding by the 'Antonis Tritsis' programme, but it has not been reviewed yet, and if it is not approved, it will be included in the ESPA 2021-2027 programme.
The Regional Authority is planning to turn the property into a Digital Museum of Ionian History and Culture and a place for the preservation and promotion of archival material relating to the culture and history of the Ionian Islands.
However, the Region will be required to repair and upgrade the building, which remains in poor condition for years, as well as the surrounding area within 6 years from the signing of the contract.
The meeting took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Ministry of Finance, following the unanimous decision of the Regional Council in January, on the issue of the former 6th Primary School building.
What the Cultural Society said
The Garitsa Park Cultural Society delivered a file with photos and data showing the neglect of the building that is ready to collapse, while the poor condition of other important buildings was also discussed, such as the Corfu National Sports Centre, for which photos were presented as well. A folder with the printed material of the 6th Primary School was also handed over to the ETAD managing director and it was proposed, apart from changing some of the terms of the contract (price, duration), to use the building for educational, cultural and social activities.
Special reference was made to the current condition of the building. Mr. Vergis pointed out the necessity of immediate restoration, as it is in danger of collapsing.
Limited possibilities
At the meeting, which lasted about an hour, a promise was made to consider the possibility of changing some of the terms of the contract for the concession of the building to the Region.
Mr. Staikouras, however, clarified that the possibilities are limited, since the property does not belong to the state. Thus, he cannot intervene as it is owned by ETAD, which aims to utilise the properties of the state and not to dispose of them.
Regarding the determination of the price (€12,000 per year for 25 years), Mr. Balomenos explained that this was set by an external valuer and that normally for the concession of the property a complete study and secured funding are required. In this case, however, the concession is made without them, while no other utilisation of the property is planned, as has been done elsewhere.
Concern
Speaking to Enimerosi, Mrs. Kratsa expressed her concern regarding the revision of the contract by the ETAD Board, as she estimated that the terms will not be favourable this time. The Region has submitted a proposal for funding by the 'Antonis Tritsis' programme, but it has not been reviewed yet, and if it is not approved, it will be included in the ESPA 2021-2027 programme.
The Regional Authority is planning to turn the property into a Digital Museum of Ionian History and Culture and a place for the preservation and promotion of archival material relating to the culture and history of the Ionian Islands.
However, the Region will be required to repair and upgrade the building, which remains in poor condition for years, as well as the surrounding area within 6 years from the signing of the contract.
