Around 100 new parking spaces were built in Gandija Street in New Belgrade, and by the end of the year there will be 510 in 10 locations in the blocks, Aleksandar Šapić, the president of the city’s Provisional Authority, announced yesterday. He reminded that the price of a garage with 150 parking spaces is about 15 million euros, while those 510 parking spaces will cost the city “slightly more than a million euros.”
– By the end of next year, we will open 2,600 parking spaces. In the last ten years, an estimated 1,250 spaces, including 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. The truth is, there are never enough parking lots, they are the problem of all big cities in the world – said Šapić, as reported by Beoinfo.
He also referred to the fact that the biggest problem was how to solve property issues, because at first it was not possible to find a solution.
– After a certain time, I came back to that 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 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. That’s why, as a citizen of New Belgrade and the former president of this municipality, I’m very glad that we have changed the daily life of our fellow citizens for the better from that aspect – emphasized Šapić and added that 90 parking spaces will be built near the market on Bežanijska kosa.
He announced another novelty – the Provisional City Authority made a decision two weeks ago that all areas owned by the city or the republic can be turned into parking zones without changing the detailed regulation plan.
– Changing the detailed regulation plan previously took more than a year and a half, so that a zone could be introduced in some part of the city. The zone means that their residents, ie. those who live in that part of the city can have their own parking space for only 500 dinars per month. All others pay the full price, which, depending on the zone, is from 45 to 60 dinars per hour – said Šapić.
He is convinced that the new measures will facilitate the functioning of the people of Novobeograd, as it is estimated that around 150,000 people come to work in that part of the city every day.
Šapić pointed out that he receives massive requests for the introduction of zones, as well as that there is astonishment as to why it takes a year and a half to make a decision on the introduction of a zone.
– With this decision, we can seriously solve the parking problem because we will favor the residents. I expect that in the next period we will significantly introduce zones throughout Belgrade and that people will be satisfied – pointed out Šapić.
