Potential shelter in Riga city center, but lack of regulation prevents registration

In the heart of Riga, near the National Museum of Art, lies the office building 'Valdemāra centrs', owned by the Swedish real estate company 'Eastnine'. Beneath it, there are extensive underground spaces currently used as a parking lot. According to the owner, these spaces are in good condition and could be relatively easily adapted for use as a shelter, without requiring major investment.

However, Jānis Meiers, head of 'Eastnine' in Latvia, explains that the company refrains from registering the premises as a publicly accessible shelter because of a lack of clear regulations. Since the state itself cannot fund the construction of new shelters, there should at least be understandable rules for the private sector on what steps to take.

Although a draft regulation by the Cabinet of Ministers has been prepared to specify requirements for adapting and inspecting such spaces, it has not yet been coordinated. It is unknown when these rules might come into effect, leaving the status of this potential shelter uncertain.