The respective decision to pay the owners exactly this amount has been made by the government this month, although difficult negotiations with the owners have been unsuccessful since 2017. The government’s decision was made after getting acquainted with the information provided by real estate appraisers that 8.3 million euros could be the market value of “Titanic”.
The amount mentioned by the owners is about twice as much, moreover, compensation has also been demanded for lost income and ruined development plans, the program reported.
Jana Upeniece, the head of the Real Estate Expropriation Department of SIA Eiropas Eiropas līnijas, explained that commercial activities are still taking place in Titanika, therefore the compensation does not include compensation for loss of business, but entrepreneurs will have the right to apply for such compensation after suspension of business.
The expropriation agreement is currently being sent to the owners, who have until mid-August to respond. It has not yet been received. If the owners do not respond, a draft law on expropriation for public needs will be forwarded, Upeniece explained.
TV3 news had also contacted one of the co-owners of Titanics – businessman Hermanis Līvens, but he did not agree to the conversation, calling to call next week.
It has already been reported that the Rail Baltica project envisages the creation of a European standard gauge railway line from Tallinn to the Lithuanian-Polish border, so that the Baltic States could be further connected to other European countries by rail.
For the needs of Rail Baltica, more than 100 properties, including the Titanic, will be alienated in the Riga Airport section and in the Riga Central Station project phase. It is planned to demolish it by building a square with trees instead.
