The multi-million euro project by the Public Company for Coastal Zone Management (JP) for the ground-level development of Velika Skela under the Old Town of Ulcinj has been put on hold. The local government in this southern municipality is now focusing on making the area suitable for smooth parking and traffic flow ahead of the season.

Mayor of Ulcinj Genc Nimanbeg has stated that the public company, after canceling its contract with the contractor months ago, is now tasked with completing the paving of the pier in time for the season to allow free movement of both passengers and vehicles.

“After the summer, as part of the second phase, we will push for the construction of a protective wall to guard against wave damage,” Nimanbegu told “Vijesti”.

Thus, the grandly announced JP project, which has faced controversy since its inception and allegedly has consumed nearly a million euros so far, has been unceremoniously dropped from the agenda and list of priorities.

As of last night, the Public Enterprise had not responded to “Vijesti”‘s inquiries about the termination of its contract with the main contractor for the renovation of Velika Skela in Ulcinj, including the reason behind this decision. They were also asked if they had abandoned the million-euro project altogether and whether any redirected funds would be allocated for other projects in Ulcinj’s coastal zone.

“Vijesti” reported last August that the Public Company was awaiting urban planning and technical conditions (UTU) from the Municipality of Ulcinj, alongside amendments to the State Location Study (DSL) for sector 63 from the relevant ministry, in order to fully finalize the work on the Velika Skela project.

Just over six months prior, the public company announced that the first phase of the project, costing more than 800,000 euros, had been completed and that construction was in its final stages, although no visible signs of a modern and appealing area were evident on-site as per the winning conceptual design in the tender.

In the meantime, the then Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism, and State Property Janko Odović responded to queries from MP Mehmed Zenka (DUA) by stating that, according to reports he received from the appraiser, the actual work did not amount to more than 270-300 thousand euros, promising to look into the matter further. Similar concerns persist to this day…

The groundwork for the arrangement of the Great Scaffold kicked off in October 2022, with an initial project timeline of 120 days. Following this, the Municipality had projected completion by the beginning of the last season, yet that deadline was also missed.

The contractor engaged was DOO “Erlang”, and the investment for the first phase surpassed 800,000 euros, with the anticipated total nearing one million euros once the second phase is factored in.

“The first phase of the groundwork arrangement for Velika Skela has been finalized. The second phase of paving is currently underway, and provisions for utilizing financial resources in 2024 aim to rehabilitate the Velika Skela foundations after the urban and technical conditions are established and technical documentation is prepared. Wave protection for the Velika Skela will be realized through the construction of an underwater pier. Successful execution of this investment depends on completing amendments to sector 63 of the DSL, after which the technical documents will be prepared and this investment can proceed,” the PE responded in February of the previous year regarding the status of the groundwork arrangements for Velika Skela and intended protections against significant wave impact. At that time, they did not provide an estimated timeline for the expected implementation of this crucial million-euro project.

The intended function of this area, encompassing 4,600 square meters, was for a square pier featuring a green belt along the rocks at the base of the Old Town. It was planned to create a green area with low-maintenance indigenous flora and the planting of several pine and olive trees to offer shade and enhance the surrounding environment.

In the course of crafting the main project, ecological materials were utilized. The waterfront’s final finish was intended to consist of stamped concrete and stone.

In the meantime, Erlang confirmed to “News” that significant discrepancies between the actual site conditions and the prepared project were noted early in the construction, particularly concerning the promenade’s concrete surface.

The project aimed for Ulcinj to establish its first maritime border crossing.

Nimanbegu mentioned that a temporary ferry border crossing was operational last year.

“We will ensure this occurs again this year. A formal initiative will be submitted to the appropriate ministry shortly,” Nimanbegu asserted.

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