Brussels authorities have a problem with the renovation of the famous roundabout. Appeal to the EU
“You probably did not escape that serious work is currently underway at the Schuman roundabout,” we read in a letter to which Politico reached, sent last week by leading local politicians to the leaders of five European institutions: Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costy, Kai Kallas, Roberty MetSoli and Kati Tutto, chairman of the European Committee of Regions.
“Your support would be a strong signal of the involvement of European institutions in the benefit of the city that guests, and tangible investment in strengthening the bond between Europe and its capital“-wrote the minister-president Rudi Vervoort, minister for European and urban planning of Ans Persoons as well as the director of mobility and public works by Elke Van Den Brandt.
The renovation of the famous roundabout – the epicenter of steel and glass buildings, which houses EU institutions – began in the autumn of 2023 and was to end in the summer of 2026. However The proposed steel structure above the center of the square threatens to increase costsleaving the government a gap of EUR 3 million [ok. 13 mln zł] to fill.
The city of Brussels is struggling with a huge hole in the budget and a serious political paralysis, and government negotiations stuck in a rally from the election in June 2024.
Schumana roundabout before renovation. Brussels, September 7, 2022
“The bad budget situation of the capital region of Brussels and the fact that there is no new Brussels government in full power yet, mean that The project will be threatened, If you fail to get a guarantee quickly regarding the necessary additional financing, “the ministers wrote.
The government hopes that EU institutions will put out additional fundsto approve the tender until June 30. Failure to meet this deadline may entail “even higher additional costs” – officials warn.
“Currently, the Brussels government is not able to make the necessary obligations regarding the financing of additional costs of the roof project; this obligation should be made by June 30 at the latest, i.e. the day on which the offer should be submitted as part of the current tender” – added.
Paul Pinho, the main spokeswoman for the European Commission, confirmed that the EU executive authorities received a letter whose content was published for the first time by the Belgian newspaper “de Standaard”. She added that the Commission had not yet responded. Personia spokesmen, Vervoort and Van Den Brandt refused to comment.
