Lipscani Limbo: Good Business for Adrian Videanu!
By Gijsbert Huijink
June/July 2005
Contrary to what most of us believe, the authorities of Bucharest are not dirt poor. How do I know? The method of closing the historic centre of Bucharest is proof that Bucharest is loaded with cash. The authorities pay a fortune to guard the entrance of cars in the area while they could be making lots of money.
Over the last years the historic centre mainly functioned as one big chaotic parking lot; on the 57 streets now closed for traffic an estimated 800 cars were parked every day. The authorities decided on a Friday to close it and the next day the entire area was closed for traffic, and worse, for parking.
Currently there are six entry points into the area. These are guarded by jandarmi and policemen, at least two, sometimes three persons per entry point. This means that there are at least fifteen people permanently guarding the area. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week. We estimate that they need five shifts, so in total seventy-five people per month. At an average cost per person (including uniform and supervisors) of the lei equivalent of 250 euros, we get to a total cost of the operation of 18,750 euros a month.
We, as AICI Bucuresti, proposed to allow controlled parking in the area. With only one entry and exit this would be easy and cheap to set up. Also it would create considerable income for the city. Suppose conservatively that around a thousand cars a day would park there for an average of three hours. You could easily ask for a euro an hour. The same jandarmi and policemen would make sure that people and cars are safe. The Primaria would earn a huge net income from such a scheme, that would be a nice start for that big underground parking garage? What do you say Mr Videanu, are we in business or not?
Gijsbert Huijink is a member of Asociatia Investitorilor din Centrul Istoric
Bucuresti.
