Tampere advances Särkänniemi projects despite overturned investment

Tampere plans to build a new waterfront route to Särkänniemi amusement park and bring forward the renovation of Mustanlahti harbour, Yle reports. The city says an administrative court ruling overturning an investment of nearly 26 million euros does not prevent the area’s development or financing.

The planned route would run from the recently completed Särkänsilta bridge through Näsinneula and the Sara Hildén Art Museum to Onkiniemi. Deputy mayor Johanna Kirjavainen, who chairs the city’s Särkänniemi steering group, said the route would improve access to the area.

The project is still being planned, but the city intends to advance it as quickly as possible. Tampere also aims to renovate Mustanlahti harbour, located in front of Särkänniemi, next year. New berths were built at the harbour this summer.

The other planned development projects are large, multi-year undertakings, and their completion is still some way off. The city plans to advance and finance them in stages after the administrative court overturned the investment previously granted for the projects.

The current plan is to divide the projects into several packages. One would cover the amusement park plots. The hotel and water park would form another package, while a third would include a parking facility, a sports hall and the former dolphinarium.

The city has not yet agreed on schedules for these projects. It will assess the timetable in more detail with the steering group during the autumn and winter, while continuing discussions with Särkänniemi company.

Although the court overturned the city’s investment, Tampere still intends to provide capital for the projects. The difference is that the investments will be made in stages. The city will not seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court, saying an appeal would slow progress on the plans.

One development project has already been completed: Särkänsilta bridge opened this summer.