Investigation into the halting of construction in Quadrant B at Marijin Dvor

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Federal Police Administration (FUP) is conducting an investigation, upon the order of the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office, into the case of halted construction of facilities at the "Quadrant B" location on Sarajevo's Marijin Dvor. It is also being attempted to determine if this halt is related to the announced construction of a new luxury complex on the site of the current Skenderija, Patria agency has learned unofficially. The investigation is being conducted against three individuals.

In mid-September 2017, the Dubai State Investment Fund signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Sarajevo Canton. It was already mentioned at the time that the potential investor from Dubai was, among other things, interested in investing in Skenderija.

"We expect the reconstruction of the Skenderija Center and major investments planned for this social and cultural facility, of great importance to the citizens of Sarajevo, in the near future. Currently, the main focus, when it comes to foreign investments, is on the Skenderija Center, and the investment value is 300 million euros, which is the highest in the current mandate of the KS Government," Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Elmedin Konaković recently stated to the media.

Parallel to the negotiations regarding Skenderija, there is talk of equally large investments in the Marijin Dvor City Center, which would also change the appearance of this part of Sarajevo. The Marijin Dvor City Center, Quadrant B, extends from SCC to the Skenderija bridge, along the banks of the Miljacka River. Several private individuals want to invest in Quadrant B. They intend to build residential and commercial buildings and luxury hotels. Construction in this quadrant is currently halted. The Mayor of Centar Municipality, Nedžad Ajnadžić, justifies the blockade with the opinion of an "ad hoc" formed council that opposes "the construction of high-rise buildings in Quadrant B."

On the other hand, there is talk that the investment in Skenderija is conditioned precisely by the halting of construction in Quadrant B, which would be a competitor to the new Skenderija. Mayor Ajnadžić neither confirmed nor denied Patria's question as to whether such information is true.