Valka Municipality Council, in cooperation with Valga Municipality Government, is implementing the project called “Valga-Valka Twin Town Centre Development” (Est-Lat 51) within the INTERREG Estonian-Latvian cross-border cooperation program 2014-2020. The design work of the Valga-Valka Center and pedestrian streets is carried out by the Spanish architectural firm In Project Studio Barcelona SPC. The design works are at the end and will be completed by the end of July 2018 at the latest. The construction works will begin in the second half of 2018.
The main goal of the project "Valga-Valka Twin Town Centre Development " is to create an attractive and human-friendly solution for the common public space of the Valga-Valka twin town center, including the pedestrian street. As a result of the project, Valga-Valka residents and visitors have a cosy and unique public space that can be used on a daily basis and will be used for various cross-border events such as the Valga-Valka bordermarket.
During this project, it is planned to clean one part of Konnaoja / Varžupīte creek from sediments, mud and underwood. It is planned to build a pedestrian bridge on Konnaoja / Varžupīte, there will also be built a swing on that bridge. Also, Valka Central Square will be established with a stage for conducting events and a children's playground. There will be built paths / walking ways for pedestrians, which will connect the Valka Central Square to the Pedele recreation area. Ramsi Watermill will be preserved and will be surrounded by little square for the small events. The under-used ancillary building located next to the water mill will be demolished. The project will create opportunities for carrying out sport and other events. The project will also create a new pedestrian street to Raina / Sõpruse Street, which will connect the twin town centers.
The total cost of the project is 3 529 411.76 EUR, of which 85% or 2 999 999.98 EUR will be financed by INTERREG Estonia-Latvia Cross-Border Cooperation Program 2014-2020. The budget of Valka Municipality Council is 1 777 987.29 EUR, including the grant from the Estonia-Latvia program in the amount of 1,511,289.19 (85%) EUR, co-financing of state 88,899.36 (5%) EUR, and 177,798.74 (10%) EUR will be financed by Valka Municipality Council. The budget of Valga Municipality Government is 1 751 424.47 EUR, including the support from the Estonia-Latvia program to the amount of 1 488 710.79 EUR and Valga Municipality self-financing 262 713.68 EUR.
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