A cutting-edge technology park in Sofia is expected to absorb investments worth BGN 87 M. This is one of the five pilot programs for implementation of Sofia's new urban plan greenlighted by the city councilmen on Wednesday.
The Sofia 1 Technopark is projected to spread over 30-40 hectares on the outskirts of the capital city next to its main thoroughfare Tsarigradsko Shosse. The architects expect branches and daughter companies of international corporations to move in.
According to preliminary estimates, 2,500 to 5,000 people will have their work places there. Several apartment buildings will be erected to house them.
The construction of the Technopark is expected to take some ten years.
The investors include the Sofia Municipality, Ministry of Economy, Technical University and private enterprises.
The second pilot project envisages the establishment of an eco tourism and agriculture theme park till 2012. The Poleto (Field) Theme Park will span territories around five villages in the capital city's vicinity as well as parts of Sofia's Northern Park. It is estimated to absorb BGN 1.1 M.
All buildings in downtown Sofia will be listed over 2004 and 2005 under a project for renovation of the central areas. This long-term plan was hammered out to solve the parking problems and also concentrates on the water conduit, sewerage, public lightning and cultural heritage.
The renovation of the Iliyantsi area to the west of Sofia which hosts 29 nine factories is the subject of the fourth pilot program. It envisages two new boulevards and a park.
The last of the municipal projects aims at preventing pollution of subterranean waters.