Historic centre completion set for July 2010

Following a delay of almost a year, Spanish infrastructure builder Sedesa is continuing to rehabilitate the works in Bucharest’s Historic Centre with a new deadline set for July 2010.

October 2009 - From the Print Edition

Previously Bucharest Mayor Sorin Oprescu had called for the closing of the contract with the Spaniards, which caused works on the street network around Strada Lipscani to be frozen for months.
Last year four of the 14 streets in the most-fiercely fought-over real estate in the city were completed and Oprescu called for the ten remaining streets to each be awarded to a different construction firm.
But this plan has collapsed and now Sedesa and Bucharest City Hall have agreed to allow works to continue, after signing an additional clause, where the job is subcontracted to Romanian constructor Apolodor.
This Romanian company was close to the Democratic Liberal Party (PD-L) when the current Economy Minister Adriean Videanu was Bucharest mayor, according to local media.
Apolodor is specialised in infrastructure works, site organisation and construction demolition.
The company has demolished stadium Lia Manoliu and is now working on taking apart sections of Casa Radio, a half-built HQ for the Communist radio now slated for redevelopment into offices and a hotel. Both these contracts were awarded during the time of Videanu’s mandate.