Tallinn Deputy Mayor Suggests Selling Off Vacant Old Town Properties
Tallinn deputy mayor Tiit Terik proposes selling some long-vacant municipal buildings in the Old Town to encourage restoration through new owners' investments, while a city planner urges better stewardship instead.
The City of Tallinn is considering the future of dilapidated Old Town properties, with Deputy Mayor Tiit Terik (Center) suggesting the sale of some municipal buildings that have been vacant for a long time. Terik noted that the city owns over 65,000 square meters in the Old Town, about two-thirds of which are leased out, while a third is used by the city itself. He added that there are currently 20 city-owned vacant rental units, and many commercial spaces are empty due to the economic situation.
Kaarel Truu, an Old Town specialist at the city planning department, said the economic climate and tourism decline are not the only factors; the poor condition of many buildings makes them unusable without significant investment. "Years of neglect have caused the maintenance backlog to grow so large that major investment is needed before the building can be used," Truu explained.
Terik argued that selling such properties could be appropriate so they can be restored through new owners' investments. However, Truu countered that the city should become a better steward rather than sell off assets. "The fact that the city owns property in Tallinn's Old Town is fundamentally a good thing. It should provide an opportunity to influence what activities take place in those premises," he said, stressing that some city functions belong in the Old Town.
The city's development plan also calls for a rental policy guided by value rather than profit. Truu expressed optimism, noting that the Old Town remains a vibrant residential area. "The goal is for the Old Town to remain a vibrant urban environment. It could function better, but even now it is by no means abandoned," he concluded.
