Main Square in Győr to be Renewed with the Help of EU Funding20 July 2009
The main square in Győr will be renewed by next summer with the help of EU funding amounting to nearly 900 million HUF. The grand historic buildings on Széchenyi Square and its environs will be renewed, new paving will be laid on the square, new asphalt will be laid on the streets and a fountain and new decorative lighting will make the main square of the Western Transdanubian city more attractive within the framework of this investment costing a total of 1.9 billion HUF. The assistance contract of the investment was signed in Győr on 20 July; Mr Csaba Molnár Head of the Prime Minister’s Office attended this event.
Urban rehabilitation programmes play a key role in the use of EU development funding. These are important investments, i.e.: beyond the way they boost tourism and the local economy and make specific towns and cities more attractive, they also make settlements across the country more liveable. A total of 24.5 billion HUF was allocated for urban rehabilitation programmes within the framework of the 2004-2006 National Development Plan. During the 2007-2010 period alone, 8 times this amount, i.e. nearly 200 billion HUF can be invested in the renewal of settlements in various regions within the framework of the New Hungary Development Plan.
(Source: www.kisalfold.hu)
Decisions have already been made in the case of a significant part of this framework. Within the framework of NHDP, so far 196 applicants approved funding have been granted 9.2 billion HUF for small-scale urban developments and regional calls allocated a framework of 10 billion HUF were announced in the same theme in the beginning of summer. From among the applications submitted in the theme of social urban rehabilitation, so far, 20 projects applying for funding amounting to 11.3 billion HUF have proceeded through to the second round, whilst 78 projects geared towards function-enhancing urban rehabilitation and applying for funding amounting to 55.9 billion HUF have proceeded through to the second round assessment phase. The rehabilitation of cities of county rank will be implemented within the framework of priority projects. First round decisions on the approval of funding have so far been made in the case of 16 projects, whilst several projects have successfully passed the second round and are now at the contracting stage.
(Source: www.kisalfold.hu)
The project aimed at renewing Széchenyi Square and its environs in Győr has also reached this stage. In its present state, Győr’s prettiest square is unsuitable for functioning as a tourist attraction; nor is it worthwhile for catering businesses to open new shops or restaurants in this area. However, the downtown of Győr will be “dressed in new robes” by May 2010 as a result of this investment - which is about to be launched - costing a total of 1.9 billion HUF and to be implemented with the help of nearly 900 million HUF from the European Union. New paving and street furniture will be installed on a total area of nearly 6 and half thousand square metres; a fountain will be built and new decorative lighting will be placed on the square. An events area extension suitable for accommodating 200 persons will be added to the Xantus János Museum; the historic pharmacy operated by the Benedictine friary and the façade of the Saint Ignatius Benedictine church and priory will be renewed and the Lloyd Building will be completely restored and made suitable for accommodating restaurants and other catering units. Moreover, 2,300 square metres of new office space will also be available in the downtown area of Győr.