Once again, the Minister thanked all emergency respondents, fire-fighters, the Ministry of the Interior and the Croatian Centre for Earthquake Engineering (HCPI), saying that many coordination meetings were held immediately after the fire.
“HCPI experts have determined the damage and clearly stated that it is dangerous to enter and use the very skyscraper, that mechanical resistance and safety have been severely compromised, and that there is a risk of partial or complete collapse. Their report states significant damage on floors 6-9 and 14-16,” Bačić pointed out, adding that the State Inspectorate ordered the skyscraper’s removal.
Following a recommendation by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry sent invitations to 34 companies, he added. Of 18 offers received, a working group shortlisted five and entered negotiations.
“The criteria were set - the price comprised 30% of the points awarded, specific experiences and expert preferences 35%, deadline to complete the first phase 15% and deadline to complete the entire project 20%. Also, the criterium included the most favourable offer in terms of economy, which does not imply the cheapest offer. Our goal is to open the underpass in both directions as soon as possible, which is why the deadline criterium was one of the most important ones; we want to restore the traffic as it was prior to the fire,” the Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets explained at a press conference a month and a half after the fire, which destroyed one of the most iconic buildings in Zagreb.
“We have determined EURCO d.d. as the most favourable offers in terms of economy, and today the decision was published in the Electronic Public Procurement Classifieds,” he said.
The contracted work including the preparation of project documentation and the building removal is estimated at 4.2 million euro, VAT excluded, i.e. 5.3 million euro, VAT included.
The deadline for the first phase, reopening the underpass on Slavonska Avenue to traffic, is 30 days after the contract is signed. The deadline for preparing project documentation, demolishing the building and removing debris is three months from signing, expected on January 21, after the appeals deadline expires on January 19.
Expert supervision over the removal of the Vjesnik skyscraper and the western annex worth 59,970 euro, VAT excluded, was also selected and will be performed by GARK KONZALTING from Zagreb, while TODING from Zagreb was selected as the auditor.
EURCO removed the tallest building in Croatia - coking plant chimney in Bakar
“In its offer, EURCO stated that it would carry out the mechanical removal of the skyscraper, they are highly experienced and have excellent references. EURCO removed the tallest building in Croatia - the coking plant chimney in Bakar - along with numerous other buildings, such as bridges over the Sava River,” the Minister pointed out.
The method of the mechanical removal will depend on the project developed by EURCO and revised by the auditor, in this case TODING d.o.o. When asked by the reporters why they had opted for mechanical removal instead of mining, Bačić stated that the Ministry had not favoured any method over the other, but that the decision was based on clearly defined parameters and criteria set out in the tender, including the price, specific experience of experts and deadlines, which was determined by EURCO itself.
“We have accepted the safest, economically most favourable offer, relying on EURCO’s previous experience,” Bačić said.
All construction material and debris upon the removal of the Vjesnik building must be disposed of by EURCO at a recycling facility meeting all legal requirements, i.e. at a site that has a use permit for waste disposal, Bačić said, adding that it will most likely be in the Zagreb area.
State Secretary Tonči Glavinić pointed out that all co-owners have been notified to remove their belongings from the Vjesnik building. If they fail to do so, the items will be considered waste.
Special advisor to the Minister Dominik Skokandić confirmed there is flammable waste in the skyscraper, namely four containers comprising 28 cubic metres each, but all of them empty, hard and can be considered “dead weight.” They will be emptied and cleaned before the demolition. He also added that no utility installations run through the Vjesnik complex that could cause problems in surrounding areas at the time of the removal.
The structural stability of the skyscraper has not been compromised by snow and low temperatures, and its mechanical resistance and stability are regularly monitored.
Source: HINA/MPGI