State Seeking Contractor for National Museum (5)

Published: 05.09.2012 14:49

A rendition of what the building, designed by three foreign architects, should look like when complete.
( Photo: Courtesy of State Real Estate )

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A new public procurement was announced on Tuesday for the construction of the Estonian National Museum's planned building in Tartu.

Officials estimate the museum will cost 59 million euros including VAT to build, while another 15 million euros will be needed to furnish it and install exhibits.

The deadline for placing a bid is November 15 and officials plan to sign a contract next January. Construction is planned for 2013-2015, with the museum's opening set for the end of 2016, a press release from State Real Estate said.

Three additional tenders will be carried out for the museum's sprinkler system, floor heating and outdoor area.

The opening of the tender marks a move forward in long-delayed efforts to create a purpose-built modern facility for the 100-year-old Tartu institution.

Museum administrators had originally planned to have the building ready and open by autumn of 2011, but the process has been plagued by funding difficulties and political spats.

In March, the European Commission rejected an application for 32 million euros in EU funding for the building, saying that the project would be too expensive and that in its currently planned location just outside Tartu it would not attract enough visitors or collect enough revenue to justify the expense. 

In turn, Minister of Culture Rein Lang pledged that the National Museum would be built regardless of whether the EU shoulders the project. Funds for the construction will come from the Cultural Endowment, State Real Estate and loans.

 

Ott Tammik

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Comments (5)

  • avatar

    knut_albers

    05.09.2012 16:18

    "In turn, Minister of Culture Rein Lang pledged that the National Museum would be built regardless of whether the EU shoulders the project." In other words, what do we care about the treasury, the taxpayers will be coerced to settle accounts for an overprized project. Such mortifying messages, one does not read every day in such an open way.

  • Observer

    06.09.2012 05:34

    Knut, you should be happy that Estonia will not use EU funds donated by your compatriots in Germany. I guess there is no pleasing some people.

  • Rick N

    06.09.2012 09:00

    The design for the new museum building (by three foreign architects with a superficial knowledge of the country) is stupid, excessive and somewhat insulting to Estonia. But the National Museum has to be built. What's not fair to taxpayers either is to have valuable and unique collections mouldering away in scattered locations around Tartu. This is the country's folk heritage and national treasures we're talking about. Leave the populist arguments for the Soviets and the Centre Party, man. Here in Estonia, we don't let the Old Town crumble away and we also take good care of other aspects of our past, no matter what the EU says.

  • Observer

    06.09.2012 14:54

    @Rick N, I agree that the building should have been designed by an Estonian architect. But I also agree 100% that Estonia's heritage should be housed in a proper museum. Shame on the EU for denying funds for this important project and full applause to the Estonian government for proceeding with this project!

  • avatar

    knut_albers

    06.09.2012 16:58

    Observer, I pay taxes also in Estonia, so no there is no reason for me to be happy on this.