Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Building a University Compound in the Skaptopara Park
Municipality of Blagoevgrad
Background
The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) was established in 1991 as a result of the partnership between different private, public, national and foreign organizations and institutions. It is the first such attempt not only in Bulgaria, but on the Balkans as well. AUBG was established with the partnership of the government of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Municipality of Blagoevgrad, the University of Maine, and with financial support from USAID and the Open Society Institute. The growing prestige of the University, its expanded capacity and the increasing number of students and faculty determined the necessity for an AUBG university compound.
The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) was established in 1991 as a result of the partnership between different private, public, national and foreign organizations and institutions. It is the first such attempt not only in Bulgaria, but on the Balkans as well. AUBG was established with the partnership of the government of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Municipality of Blagoevgrad, the University of Maine, and with financial support from USAID and the Open Society Institute. The growing prestige of the University, its expanded capacity and the increasing number of students and faculty determined the necessity for an AUBG university compound.
Practice
The bilateral partnership between the Municipality of Blagoevgrad and the American University in Bulgaria resulted in the building of a university compound within the Skaptopara Park.
Goals of the Project:
In stages through 2015, to build an university compound owned by AUBG that would include: three boarding-houses, a library, a classroom building, an administrative center, a swimming pool, sports fields and grounds, parking lots, etc.;
To provide additional revenues to the municipal budget;
To provide work for local sub-contractors;
To have municipal property leased to AUBG freed and utilized for other purposes;
To develop infrastructure and public works for part of the city.
One of the prerequisites for the implementation of the project was the successful development of the University and the need for its own facilities arising from that. The availability of free municipal lots and the legal right of the Municipality to dispose of the lot allowed the implementation of the project. There was mutual trust between the two partners, based on past cooperation on specific projects and initiatives in different areas.
There are several stages of project implementation. The stages are based on Blagoevgrad Municipal Council Decision No. 73 of May 20, 1997, on the allocation of the Skaptopara Park lot for AUBG s development needs. The Municipality of Blagoevgrad and AUBG have signed an agreement that specifies project responsibilities and the deadlines. Upon coordination and adoption of changes in the development and regulation plans, Contract No. 1001 of November 11, 1997, was signed for the ceded right of construction on municipal land with regard to buildings A and B of the university compound. The next stage of project implementation was the signing of Contract No. 651 of August 14, 2000, for the ceded right of construction on municipal land for building C of the compound. Upon coordination and approval of design and construction plans for buildings A and B, the Municipality and AUBG held a bid to select a contractor. Preference was given to local developers. Representatives of the two parties formed a workgroup that will exercise control on construction works under stage I, the construction of buildings A and B.
The bilateral partnership between the Municipality of Blagoevgrad and the American University in Bulgaria resulted in the building of a university compound within the Skaptopara Park.
Goals of the Project:
In stages through 2015, to build an university compound owned by AUBG that would include: three boarding-houses, a library, a classroom building, an administrative center, a swimming pool, sports fields and grounds, parking lots, etc.;
To provide additional revenues to the municipal budget;
To provide work for local sub-contractors;
To have municipal property leased to AUBG freed and utilized for other purposes;
To develop infrastructure and public works for part of the city.
One of the prerequisites for the implementation of the project was the successful development of the University and the need for its own facilities arising from that. The availability of free municipal lots and the legal right of the Municipality to dispose of the lot allowed the implementation of the project. There was mutual trust between the two partners, based on past cooperation on specific projects and initiatives in different areas.
There are several stages of project implementation. The stages are based on Blagoevgrad Municipal Council Decision No. 73 of May 20, 1997, on the allocation of the Skaptopara Park lot for AUBG s development needs. The Municipality of Blagoevgrad and AUBG have signed an agreement that specifies project responsibilities and the deadlines. Upon coordination and adoption of changes in the development and regulation plans, Contract No. 1001 of November 11, 1997, was signed for the ceded right of construction on municipal land with regard to buildings A and B of the university compound. The next stage of project implementation was the signing of Contract No. 651 of August 14, 2000, for the ceded right of construction on municipal land for building C of the compound. Upon coordination and approval of design and construction plans for buildings A and B, the Municipality and AUBG held a bid to select a contractor. Preference was given to local developers. Representatives of the two parties formed a workgroup that will exercise control on construction works under stage I, the construction of buildings A and B.
Results
At present, two AUBG boarding-house buildings have been built and are being used. The engineering infrastructure in the municipal area of the neighborhood was also developed. The right of construction for building C was granted. The payments for the right of construction for the first three buildings generated significant revenues to the municipal budget. A consortium of local developers was selected as a contractor for buildings A and B, as well as for building C which is under construction. Furniture and equipment for the boarding-houses were supplied by local companies. The partners formed a work group for better interaction.
At present, two AUBG boarding-house buildings have been built and are being used. The engineering infrastructure in the municipal area of the neighborhood was also developed. The right of construction for building C was granted. The payments for the right of construction for the first three buildings generated significant revenues to the municipal budget. A consortium of local developers was selected as a contractor for buildings A and B, as well as for building C which is under construction. Furniture and equipment for the boarding-houses were supplied by local companies. The partners formed a work group for better interaction.
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