The first phase of the renovation of the building was presented today at the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) House, which included the renovation of the roof, facade and woodwork, and further landscaping of the area in front of the AFBiH House was announced, where the construction of a fountain is planned.
BiH Minister of Defense Zukan Helez stated that the renovation of the AFBiH House has been long awaited, emphasizing that this is a significant project in which multiple levels of government participated.
As he stated, the renovation of the roof, facade and woodwork has been completed, for which more than two million BAM has been allocated.
According to him, multiple levels of government participated in the implementation of the project, primarily the Stari Grad Municipality, then the City of Sarajevo, the Sarajevo Canton, the Government of the Federation of BiH and the state level.
“So we have shown that together we can achieve a lot,” said Helez.
He emphasized that this is the first investment since the building has had its current name and that this is the first phase of the project, adding that a second phase is also planned.
“In the next phase, there will also be a beautiful square, for which we first need to obtain approvals. We will carry out some more renovation work inside, for which we have support from some partner countries to complete the project,” said the Minister of Defense of BiH.
“This will be the most beautiful part of the city of Sarajevo,” he emphasized.
As he said, in a sea of political disagreements, he wanted to highlight this project as a positive example of cooperation between different levels of government.
“My message to everyone is to argue less and work more for the benefit of all citizens of this country,” he said.
He also noted that as part of the overall activities for the renovation of the BiH Armed Forces Home, the reconstruction of the paintings in the building was carried out using funds received from the state level of government, for which several hundred thousand BAM were allocated.
The Mayor of the Stari Grad Sarajevo Municipality Irfan Čengić also addressed the media, emphasizing that immediately after taking office he spoke with the Minister of Defense of BiH.
“We did not look at who was in charge, how who would block us, but rather looked for solutions. We found a solution and 30 years after the war, we renovated the Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces Home, which will truly be one of the most beautiful buildings in Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Čengić.
Speaking about the planned landscaping of the area in front of the building, which will include the installation of a fountain, he said that the implementation of this project requires the approval of the Commission for the Preservation of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He also emphasized that the Stari Grad Municipality, as the project leader, allocated the largest part of the funds for the renovation of the building.
”We are truly proud to be able to show this building today, and we will be even prouder when we finish the square,” said the mayor.
Among other things, he emphasized that the Stari Grad Sarajevo Municipality is ready to give up the income it currently generates from parking at that location.
“The square where the parking is currently located annually brings 600,000 BAM of income to the Municipality of Stari Grad, but we are ready to give up that income in order to get a really nice and pleasant place to live, but also for visitors and tourists and state delegations when they come to the Minister of Defense, so that we really have a nice square to show,” pointed out Čengić.
