State Joint-Stock Company "State Real Estate" (SRE) has received the assessment of the State Construction Control Bureau (SCCB) of the works carried out so far and planned for the future in relation to Tetera House, 61 Brīvības Street, Riga, with which was allowed the continued operation of the house and amended the previous decision. The amendments have been made on the basis of the expressed commitment to eliminate the identified hazards as soon as possible, says SRE Board Member Andris Vārna.
It has already been publicly announced that the Ministry of Culture will prepare and submit to the Government a report on the allocation of funds for urgent repairs and management costs, as well as a special law for the protection and restoration of the Tetera House, for which the capital company has also received an official letter from the Ministry. SRE, in turn, in February addressed the SCCB with a request to postpone the enforcement of the previous decision, pointing to the work already done to improve security in the building, as well as a plan with further actions to be taken to fully eliminate the hazards identified by the Bureau in the building, based on the information provided by the Government and the Ministry of Culture. Prior to the Bureau's decision, the capital company has found a solution to install surveillance cameras around the building at 61 Brīvības Street, thus reducing the potential threat of future vandalism. The SCCB opinion states that until the hazards are fully eliminated, the enclosure of hazardous areas - courtyards and passageways - implemented in 2022 should be continued to prevent unauthorized access.
"As a state-owned company, SRE is obliged to take responsible and sustainable decisions regarding each and every property under our management. We welcome the support provided by the Government in developing a sustainable solution. This has also been appreciated by the responsible institutions, allowing the doors of Tetera House to remain open to the residents and visitors of Riga in the future. We are aware that the future operation of the building requires not only substantial investment, but also considerable work. We hope that the parties involved will continue to cooperate successfully and quickly in the future," said A.Vārna.
On 18 October 2022, the company received a warning from the SCCB to implement the submitted construction plan to eliminate the hazard by 28 February 2023. If the hazard identified by the Bureau is not eliminated, the SCCB will have to impose a fine on the SRE, which can reach up to 10 000 euro for a legal entity for each time a fact is identified.
It has already been reported that the hazard identified by the State Fire and Rescue Service in the Tetera House must be eliminated by 7 May 2024. At least 400 000 euro is required to carry out these works. The hazard is related to the automated fire detecting and emergency alarm system. The funding would allow fixing of the internal fire water system and electrical installation, as well as sealing of the leaky areas in fireproof constructions. However, at least 14 million euro is required to fully operate the building and preserve its cultural and historical values, which will ensure its full restoration and bring it back to life.
