Repair of the National Assembly: Design visa issued

A design visa for major repairs, restoration, renovation and improvement of the functionality of the National Assembly building was issued by the "Architecture and Urban Planning" Directorate (NAG) of the Sofia Municipality. The news was announced by the mayor of the "Sredets" district, Traycho Traykov, on his Facebook profile.

The decision comes after a long period of observation and signals of the deteriorated condition of the emblematic building. The visa outlines the parameters of the upcoming construction and repair activities, setting clear limitations. During the repair, no change is planned to the cornice level, the ridge level, the roof slope and other interventions that could change the exterior appearance of the historic building, Mayor Traykov specified.

However, the procedure is not completely finished. Before the approval of the investment project, the visa will have to be approved by the Ministry of Culture, Traykov added. He also appealed to citizens to be especially careful and to avoid passing under the eaves of the National Assembly building.

We remind you that at the end of October, the mayor of "Sredets" issued an official order to the administration of the National Assembly, urging urgent measures in connection with the condition of the parliamentary building, located at 2 "Narodno Sabranie" Square. At that time, it was pointed out that serious problems had been identified: peeling and crumbling plaster, cracks in the walls, a plinth with visible traces of moisture, defective joints around the granite cladding tiles, crumbling friezes and leaking rusty water from the decorative metal fence.

The work on the repair seems to be intensive. By the end of the year, the design assignment for the preparation of an investment project for major repair, restoration and improvement of the functionality of the old building of the National Assembly is expected to be submitted for coordination to the National Institute for Immovable Cultural Heritage. After that, a procedure will be announced for the selection of a contractor. The information was confirmed by the administration of the 51st National Assembly in response to an inquiry from BTA, sent in September.

Following numerous signals about the unfavorable condition of the building, the parliamentary sessions were temporarily moved. From September 1, 2023, the work of the MPs is carried out in the new plenary hall in the building of the former Party House. At that time, the chairman of the 49th National Assembly, Rosen Zhelyazkov, explained that the urgent major repair of the old building is necessary due to serious problems: a leaking roof, problems with the air conditioning system, as well as problems with the heating system and the sewerage system. The decision to repair is key to preserving the cultural heritage and ensuring appropriate working conditions for the MPs.