Construction, Legislation, Lithuania, Real Estate, Transport

Vilnius City Municipality held a public discussion on Tuesday regarding the project proposals of Vokieciu Street reconstruction. The discussion was attended by Vilnius government, responsible specialists from the municipality, residents of the Old Town, representatives of unions of architects, painters and restorers, members of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants and representatives of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

Based on the initial proposal, the authentic route and traffic operation of the street will be recreated. One side of the street will be left for vehicles while another for pedestrians, thus reducing transit through the Old Town. Nearly 40 new parking spots should be created. More than 50 lamp posts with LED light bulbs would light the street. 2,162 square metres of authentic 20th century road surface will be refurbished. 800 new bushes, 30 new trees and 500 square metres of flowers will be planted. 11,291 square metres of pedestrian and bicycle paving will be laid, with plenty of lawn remaining. Video cameras will be installed near new pedestrian crossings. A charging station for electrical vehicles will be built. Water drainage system will be fitted for outdoor cafes and outdoor furniture would be matched to the architecture of buildings.

It is unclear yet how much the reconstruction might cost, this will depend on the final proposal. Last time Vokieciu Street was reconstructed in 1998. According to tourism specialists, the street is on the list of representative streets of Vilnius and one of the most visited in the city.

Prior to the Second World War the street was the trade centre of Vilnius where both big and small shops were located. Vokieciu Street (literally the German street), one of the oldest streets in Vilnius, bears its name from German speaking merchants and craftsmen who settled here in the 14th century.