By Jūratė Anilionytė, LRT TV, LRT.lt.
Renovation work on Kaunas’ historic central post office, one of the most significant buildings from the city’s interwar period, will begin soon, officials said. Nearly €10 million has been allocated for the project, after which the building will house the National Architecture Institute.
The last letters were sent from the building’s grand hall six years ago. After the Lithuanian Post decided it no longer needed the property, the state-owned company considered selling it at auction. Following a public campaign from Kaunas residents, the government opted to repurpose the building for public use, prompting plans for restoration.
“The structural condition is truly good – it is a well-built structure. There is no need for major reconstruction,” said Šarūnas Šoblinskas, director of the Cultural Infrastructure Centre. “But its engineering systems have a lifespan, and some work was done even during Soviet times. Later, when the Lithuanian Post operated the building, there were some accidents.”
Five companies participated in the tender launched this autumn by the Cultural Infrastructure Centre. A contract has been signed with the winning bidder, with work expected to cost nearly €10 million.
“There were many questions and clarifications. We answered everything received during the tender process. The contractors, being professionals, clearly evaluated their capabilities,” Šoblinskas said.
Read more: LRT.LT
