It has been almost a year since the Tourist Palace in the heart of the city should have been completed – what’s going on?
The last time Total Split checked in on the progress of the Tourist Palace, Stipe Mađor – head of investor company “Valleus” – claimed that the building was awaiting technical inspection, which should be completed over the next month. The grand opening was slated for the beginning of December, just in time for Advent. That was on October 29, 2016.
On February 28, 2017, Slobodna Dalmacija reported on the most recent update of the project. Head of investor company “Valleus” Stipe Mađor now claims that the first customers could start using the facilities in the renovated building this March.
“Until then, we will complete the landscaping since the object itself is certainly one hundred percent done. We are lacking only glass railings on the steps that are required to pass additional tests statics, which was not envisaged by the project. The glass has been ordered and should be installed soon.”
But according to the head of Valleus, they experienced some roadblocks which surely halted the opening of the Tourist Palace thus far. So what were the reasons for the delay?
Firstly, the kiosks that are located on the edge of the project hindered the completion of the electrical lighting. The good news is that the kiosks were granted permission to stay in their current locations only until licenses for the Tourist Palace are given – which will be in just a few weeks.
Another roadblock?
“An additional reason for the delay of the completion was the inclusion of the archeological park, which was not originally envisioned in the project.”
So there we have it, and Split should have a fully operating Tourist Palace this month.
Here’s a look back on the project timeline to date:
2015: Work began on the reconstruction of the Tourist Palace
April 30, 2016: On this day, according to the contract, the project should be almost done
June 30, 2016: After the first extension, the facility should open
December 1, 2016: The second extension of the deadline expired, which was approved by the City
March 2017: The last-mentioned date of completion by Valleus
