Proposals for New Street Names in the Liepaja Industrial Park Compiled

During the “Made in Liepaja” exhibition earlier this year, the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Authority invited local residents to take part in a historic initiative – to propose names for eight new streets currently under construction within the former site of the former “Liepajas metalurgs” steel plant, which is being transformed into an industrial park (the Liepaja Industrial Park of the area of 120+ hectares). 

The visitors to the “Made in Liepaja” exhibition had an opportunity to submit their street name suggestions by pinning them to a specially prepared map. A total of 385 proposals were received, reflecting the community’s strong interest and willingness to actively participate in the development of the urban environment. The Liepaja SEZ Authority extends its gratitude to all exhibition visitors for their creativity and active participation.

“The majority of participants expressed a desire to preserve the industrial legacy of Liepaja in the street names by submitting their unique street name proposals.  Likewise, the majority of the local community envision Liepaja as a green, clean, and sustainable city, which is why, for instance, the idea for the name of Dūmu (Smoke) Street received support — as a symbolic reminder of the industrial emissions back in time, which will from now on remain only in history and the assigned street name,” noted Uldis Hmieļevskis, CEO of the Liepaja SEZ Authority. 

The proposal by Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis to name one of the streets as Eksporta (Export) Street also received considerable public support.

The proposal to name one of the streets as Dzelzsgriezēja (Iron Cutter) Street gained a special recognition. Notably, in 1976, the legendary Latvian rock band “Līvi” began their musical journey at the Culture House owned at that time by the steel plant “Liepajas Metalurgs”. Dzelzsgriezējs (Iron Cutter) is a well-known song by the "Līvi" band, released in 1988. Funny enough, at the World U-18 Championship, which took place in the USA this year, after the victory of the young Latvian hockey players, a mistake occurred - instead of the Latvian anthem, the legendary song "Dzelzsgriezējs" was played.

Thus, finally, on May 26, a symbolic event summarizing the results of the abovementioned initiative was held on-site at the Liepaja Industrial Park, where the future locations of Martena (Open Hearth Furnace), Trīs Skursteņu (Three Chimneys), Inženieru (Engineers’), Eksporta (Export), Čuguna (Cast Iron), Naglu (Nail), Dūmu (Smoke), and Dzelzsgriezēja (Iron Cutter) Streets were marked on the map. Further on, the compiled proposals will be submitted to the Liepaja City Council for review and final approval.

Background Information:

• In 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Economics, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), SIA “FeLM”, the Liepaja City Council, and the Liepaja SEZ Authority regarding the development of the former steel plant “Liepajas metalurgs” territory.
• In 2021, a development program for the former steel plant territory was approved, and an inter-institutional agreement was signed with the Liepaja City Council for its implementation.
• In 2022, the local development plan for the territory was approved.
• In 2022, an environmental remediation program for the area was developed.
• In 2023, the development strategy for the Liepaja Industrial Park (LIP) for 2023–2028 was approved.
• In 2023, a series of infrastructure development construction projects were designed.
• In 2023, a project application was prepared and submitted for the initial street construction works in the LIP territory, and funding approval was received.
• In 2023, a lease agreement was concluded with SIA “Liepajas Steel” for the dismantling and removal of the electric arc furnace, valid until December 31, 2025.