Who will pay for the construction of the Dubrovnik marina?
The mayor of Dubrovnik Andro Vlahušić, before a decision was made on the concessionaire for the Gruž marina, has repeatedly written to the Croatian government and responsible ministers, warning about the necessity of harmonizing the future concession with the City of Dubrovnik, as well as the need to include in the concession the obligation of the future concessionaire to build the wharf with accompanying infrastructure, in accordance with earlier agreements between the City of Dubrovnik and the relevant ministries, reports Dubrovacki.hr on October 29, 2015.
As early as 28 October 2011, he sent a letter to Božidar Kalmeta, who was at the time minister of the sea, transport and infrastructure. “The intention of the City of Dubrovnik has been and will be for the future concessionaire, in addition to the marine part of the future marina, to take care of the costal part as well, according to the urban plan for the Gruž maritime area. It is illogical and economically unjustified for the citizens of the City of Dubrovnik to finance the most expensive part of the marina, the wharf with related infrastructure, while the net profits would fully remain with the future concessionaire”, states the letter of mayor Vlahušić.
After the change of government, mayor Vlahušić on 9 January 2012 sent a second letter to the then minister Zlatko Komadina in which he presented the opinion of the City of Dubrovnik about the obligations of the future concessionaire, primarily in the construction, reconstruction and renovation of the quay wall in the marina area.
“After we received the information about the three potential concessionaires of the marina, we held meetings with them and informed them about the interests and expectations of the City of Dubrovnik for the future concessionaire to take part in the construction of wharf facilities in the future marina. We have found that Marina Frapa and Luka Dubrovnik are ready to participate in this project, while Atlantska Plovidba has still not defined its opinion nor was willing to comment on the participation in the project”, the letter stated.
The mayor then called the potential concessionaires to consult with the City of Dubrovnik and the Port of Dubrovnik before making this very important decision for the future and development of the City.
