– This is one of the parking lots that we promised a few months ago, one of ten locations. There will be about a hundred new parking spaces here, we have already finished two with about 50 spaces, and I expect that by the end of the year it will be as we announced, yes there will be 510 new parking spaces. I spent a good part of my childhood in Block 70 and I know very well what parking spaces mean in this part of the city, especially for this part of the blocks because they were built in a period when there were no underground garages. I think that these parking spaces fundamentally change the quality of everyday life of people who live in the blocks – said Aleksandar Šapić.
Photo: City of Belgrade
Photo: City of Belgrade
Photo: City of Belgrade
He recalled that the biggest problem was precisely the problem of property and that the first thing he asked when he came to the post of mayor was whether it was possible to implement it.
– They told me it wasn’t. After a certain time, I came back to the question again and I saw huge unused areas that are not even green areas and that serve practically nothing. When I told the services to check, they said that it might be possible. That’s how we managed to find a solution for areas that were always said to be unable to become parking spaces. Only the people who live here know how much it will mean to them, which is why I, as a citizen of Novo Beograd and the former president of that municipality, am very glad that we have changed the daily life of our fellow citizens for the better from that aspect. – pointed out Šapić.
He reminded that the price of a garage with 150 parking spaces is about 15 million euros, while these 510 parking spaces will cost the city of Belgrade a little more than a million euros.
-Also, building a garage takes time, which is only in that position, and the question is how much the residents of that area would use it, given that citizens like to park near their houses. I expect that in the winter we will visit all arranged parking spaces, with the possibility of more than 510 new parking spaces – announced Šapić.
Photo: City of Belgrade
He also pointed out that the Temporary Authority of the City of Belgrade made a decision more than two weeks ago that all areas owned by the City or the Republic can be turned into parking zones, without the need to change the Detailed Regulation Plan.
– Changing the Detailed Regulation Plan previously took more than a year and a half to be able to introduce a zone in that part of the city. The zone means that their residents, i.e. those who live in that part of the city, can have their own parking space for only 500 dinars per month. All the others pay the full price, which, depending on the zone, is from 45 to 60 dinars per hour – pointed out Šapić.
– The new measures will greatly facilitate the functioning of the citizens of New Belgrade, as it is estimated that around 150,000 people come to work in New Belgrade every day, Šapić specified.
Šapić pointed out that they are massively receiving requests for the introduction of zones, and that there is astonishment as to why it takes a year and a half to make a decision to introduce a zone.
– With this decision, we can seriously solve the parking problem, because we will favor residents. I expect that in the next period we will significantly introduce zones throughout the city of Belgrade and that people will be satisfied – he said.
Photo: City of Belgrade
He emphasized that it would be nice if those who broke the boards with notices about the construction of the place explained what is wrong here and what is worse now than it was.
– Or was it just a reaction to the fact that Šapić allegedly came to the election campaign to lie to us a little. So, Šapić never lied to anyone, and I tried to fulfill everything I promised, and for what I failed to do, I gave a reason why and continued to fight for it. – said Šapić.
He pointed out that life does not begin and end with elections, but continues even after them.
– This is exactly the confirmation of that, so good luck to the people who will be parking their cars here from Friday. By the end of next year, we will open 2,600 parking spaces, and in the last ten years, according to estimates, 1,250 spaces, together with garages, have been built. We will double that in the two, two and a half years that I have the opportunity to lead the city. It’s true, there are never enough parking lots, they are the problem of all big cities in the world, but it’s stupid to blame me for that, because it’s one of the things we’ve obviously done the most and will continue to work on – said Šapić. reminding that an additional 90 places will be built near the market on Bežanijska kosa.
