Echo Investment is not relenting in its efforts to seek approval to build a residential development in Warsaw's Służewiec district. The developer's recently rejected application under the so-called lex law has undergone a minor update to help convince city councilors. The axis of the dispute is the size of the planned school.
Mordor apartments
The old and new versions of the school project
Photo: WWAA / Warsaw City Hall.
As part of the investment reported in March, Echo is planning a residential development between Domaniewska, Wołoska and Postępu streets, in the so-called Mordor area. In a neighborhood dominated by offices and the remains of industrial plants, the investor wants to erect a residential complex complemented by a school and a park. The school would be built on Konstruktorska Street, and the park along Woloska Street. Public landscaped areas are also planned on Suwak Street. The main element of the residential speculative development filed is a large housing complex for 2,500 to 2,750 residents. BBGK office is responsible for the design of the complex, while the school concept was prepared by WWAA studio.
half a school
The old and new versions of the school design
Photo: WWAA / Warsaw City Hall.
In the first half of June, the project was put to a vote. To the surprise of City Hall representatives and the investor, city councilors rejected the proposal. The main argument was the size of the school, which the investor needs to complete in order to get approval for the development. The building the investor proposed could accommodate 270 students. In this configuration, the facility would not be able to accommodate all eight grades of the elementary school. Students would be forced to change schools after three years, and the teachers employed there would most likely not be able to work full time.
limited confidence
photo: BBGK / Warsaw City Hall.
In response to these allegations, the investor has declared that he will build a larger school, but the city would participate in the cost of its construction. However, there are no funds secured for this purpose in the district's budget or investment plans. The resolution that was put to a vote also contained no information about the planned school expansion. This fact prevailed over the councilors' refusal. After all, the resolution had to be in line with the developer's previously submitted proposal, even despite the subsequent arrangements with the city sealed by a notarial agreement.
stubbornness of the investor
photo: BBGK / Warsaw City Hall.
Shortly after the vote, the investor's representatives made no secret of their irritation, claiming that city councilors had crossed out the possibility of Echo Investment investing in city infrastructure. Meanwhile, on July 5, a modified proposal was received for the construction of the same housing development, but with information included on the phasing of the school's construction and the city's participation in the project. Comments on the modified proposal can be submitted until August 3, 2021.
