Entrepreneurs hopeful for renovation of Kauppakatu in Jyväskylä

Entrepreneurs in the center of Jyväskylä are hopeful that the renovation of the popular Kauppakatu will bring more tranquility, customers, and events to the city’s heart. If all goes as planned, work on the pedestrian street, which was completed 30 years ago, will start in 2027. Aino Pärnänen, who runs Hotel Verso, remarked that Kauppakatu is currently untidy and has lost its charm. She noted that the noise and insecurity in front of Hotel Verso and the Sokkar shopping center are detrimental to business.

Jasmin Muqolli, who operated restaurants in Ilomantsi for 15 years before moving to Jyväskylä, was initially enthusiastic about the pedestrian street. However, four years later, the owner of Robert’s Coffee feels disillusioned as incidents of unrest, along with drug and alcohol-related problems, have become commonplace. He expressed that it is unsettling for customers to see police cars frequently patrolling the area. Muqolli believes the street should be a source of pride for Jyväskylä but lamented the ongoing youth violence and drug issues, calling for enhanced police resources.

Another local business, Café Wilhelmiina, closed its doors recently due to increasing vandalism and disruptive behavior, which drove away customers. Harri Pii, who runs a men’s clothing store, also advocates for stricter oversight in the city center to mitigate the presence of disruptive individuals.

Police Commissioner Jari Lindholm acknowledged the ongoing challenges with disruptive behavior but emphasized that the police monitor the area closely, including through the use of surveillance cameras. In response to concerns regarding public safety, the city is forming a smaller security task force, consisting of 7 to 8 experts, tasked with addressing the main factors contributing to feelings of insecurity.