Committee backs demolition of Sunnuás kindergarten

Reykjavík’s environment and planning council has approved plans to demolish the Sunnuás kindergarten building and replace it with a larger one, mbl.is reports. The proposal has been referred to the city council for final approval.

The new building at Dyngjuvegur 18 is planned as a 10-unit kindergarten for 180 children and 50 staff, up from the current nine units. The existing building is in very poor condition.

Sunnuás has operated from temporary accommodation in the kindergarten’s car park for the past three years, serving about 130 children. During the first year after the kindergarten closed because of mould, it operated from the former Morgunblaðið building in Kringlan.

Demolishing the existing building and constructing a new one is estimated to cost between 975 million and 1.58 billion krónur. Renovating the current building is estimated to cost about 200 million krónur less, but officials consider a new building the more sensible option given the condition of the structure.

Two residents submitted objections to the zoning changes, citing noise, disturbance, parking and access. They also said the temporary arrangement had caused traffic congestion and safety concerns, and argued that the planned 34 to 38 parking spaces would not be enough for a kindergarten of this size.

In response, the planning officer said the changes would allow a permanent building to be constructed and restore parking spaces currently occupied by the temporary accommodation. A transport assessment calls for 34 spaces, while the zoning plan provides for 38. The assessment was prepared in line with Reykjavík’s car and bicycle parking policy, in consultation with the city’s transport and urban design office, the response said.