Construction of the infrastructure of the Liepaja Industrial Park begins

By a symbolic public demolition of the entrance pass control point building of the former steel plant "Liepajas Metalurgs", today, on September 23, construction of the Liepaja Industrial Park has been commenced in order to transform the former steel plant into a modern, green industrial park, as formerly initiated and planned by the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Authority.

The first phase construction works include building of new streets, the engineering communications (water supply, heat supply, rainwater drainage systems etc.) and complete renovation of the power grid in the territory of the proposed industrial park. The former closed steel plant territory will then be open to public, and implementation of the intended construction projects will undoubtedly facilitate attraction of investments for further development of new manufacturing facilities. Before the new construction can begin, the site must be cleared of some existing structures and buildings. Efficient demolition sets the stage for a clean, workable site, allowing construction to proceed without delay. 

Chairman of Liepaja City Council, Gunārs Ansiņš: "By demolishing the entrance pass control point building, we are symbolically turning over a new page in Liepaja's industrial history. I hope that in a few years this site will be one of the most powerful green industrial parks in Latvia with strong industrial companies providing new jobs and boosting the economic growth of the city, the region and the entire country."

The Liepaja SEZ CEO Uldis Hmieļevskis adds: "This is just the beginning, the first step - building new streets, pedestrian and bicycle paths in the territory of the former steel plant "Liepajas Metalurgs" will make the former closed territory open and publicly accessible. Moreover, it is of vital importance to make the site attractive to investors who will then create modern manufacturing companies with well-paid smart technologies-based jobs and operating by basic principles of the circular economy."

The project "Infrastructure Development of the Liepaja Industrial Park, Round 1" is being implemented by using the funding of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism in the amount of 10 million euros.

For reference:

·        In 2018, the Ministry of Economics, the Latvian Investment and Development Agency, SIA "FeLM", the Liepaja City Council and the Liepaja Special Economic Zone Authority concluded a Memorandum of Understanding on the development of the territory of the former steel plant "Liepajas Metalurgs".

·        In 2019, the Liepaja SEZ Authority purchased 10 real estates in the territory of the former steel plant "Liepajas Metalurga" with the total area of ​​60.6 hectares.

·        In 2021, the territory development program of the former steel plant "Liepajas Metalurgs" was approved, and an interdepartmental agreement was concluded with the Liepaja City Council on its implementation.

·        In 2022, the local plan of the territory of the former steel plant "Liepajas Metalurgs" was approved.

·        In 2022, the Remediation Action Plan for the territory of the former steel plant "Liepajas Metalurgs" was elaborated.

·        In 2023, the "Liepaja Industrial Park" (LIP) Development Strategy for the period 2023-2028” was approved.

·        In 2023, a number of construction designs were developed to carry out construction works for the development of the infrastructure.

·        In 2023, a design application was prepared and submitted for construction of three streets in the territory of the LIP and a positive acknowledgment was received on allocation of funding for the proposed construction works.

·        In 2023, a lease agreement was concluded with SIA "Liepajas Steel" with the validity term by December 31, 2025 for dismantling and removal of the electric steel melting furnace.

·        At the end of year 2023, an agreement was concluded with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFLA) on financing by the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism in the amount of 10 million euros for implementation of the project "Infrastructure Development of the Liepaja Industrial Park, Round 1".