“Although demolition by blasting is currently favoured, it is not a final decision,” Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Branko Bačić stated in Osijek, after receiving preliminary offers from potential contractors, project developers and demolition contractors for the skyscraper which burned down in a major fire two weeks ago.
Bačić recalled that the report by the Croatian Centre for Earthquake Engineering does not define the removal model or method. However, it determines the structural condition is so poor that the skyscraper cannot be reconstructed.
“In order to start the removal procedure, we have requested a series of preliminary offers from potential contractors and demolition contractors,” Bačić said.
The preliminary offers, he added, include proposals of removal by blasting, but also by mechanical removal from the top to lower floors and the ground floor.
“In the coming days, we will once again analyse the offers, talk with experts, structural engineers, in order to select a method. These preliminary offers have served us as the foundation to enter the public procurement process and select the designer and the contractor,” Bačić said.
The removal, he added, is based on the model where project design and removal works are carried out at the same time by the same contractor.
“We will reconsider the model in the coming days, after which we would start negotiations and select the contractor who would demolish it using our preferred model, upon conducting further discussions and conversations will all experts in Croatia who can provide us with support in the decision making process,” Bačić said.
When the contract on developing the project and removing the building is concluded, the design deadline is at least 21 days, i.e. three to four weeks. After that, preparations to remove the skyscraper would begin.
Bačić stated that special attention will be paid to the safety of citizens and contractors because the object is tall, its stability is damaged, and it poses a threat.
“I believe the most important thing is to carry it out in a safe, effective way, but the pace is also important - such a skyscraper hinders traffic in this part of the city. It is unsafe, it is important to remove it as soon as possible, but not at the expense of safety and we shouldn’t be hasty in the decision-making process,” the Minister stated.
Source: HINA