The Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) has received urban planning and technical (UT) conditions for the first four buildings within the 'Sunny City' project. They will consist of 130 apartments, but their construction, despite promises made during the election campaign, will still have to wait.
"After obtaining the urban and technical conditions, the activities on the 'Sunny City' project are entering the next phase. The next steps include the development of the main project and obtaining a building permit. EPCG will announce to the public the exact date of the start of works as soon as all conditions are met. An important moment is the support of the Municipality of Nikšić and the state of Montenegro, and we are sure that the development of the project is greatly facilitated by the arrival of the large chain 'Big Fashion'," the state energy company replied to "Vijesti".
As they explained, this would effectively resolve issues related to housing policy for EPCG employees, because they have significant expenses on that basis every year.
The President of the Board of Directors of EPCG, Milutin Đukanović, and the President of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the “Sunny City” project on September 18, 2023, on the Municipality Day. At that time, it was explained that by purchasing the Steel Mill and acquiring ownership of land outside the factory premises (approximately 400.000 square meters) and that the Municipality has a significant portion of land in the immediate vicinity, the conditions were created to begin the implementation of this project. In addition, it was announced that urban planning solutions showed that there is a possibility of building up to 1.000 housing units with all accompanying facilities in that area.
Urban planning and technical conditions have been given for four buildings in which 130 apartments would be built, and the next steps include the development of the main project and obtaining a building permit, the state energy company said.
Recently, EPCG Executive Director Ivan Bulatović, while appearing on "Colors of the Morning" on TV Vijesti, said that they are not planning money for this project this year, and that it is "more of a vision of EPCG than an investment."
"In the previous period, we announced a public call for the selection of the best conceptual solution for the valorization of that space owned by EPCG. We won the first prize in the competition. Based on that first prize, we applied and received the UT conditions for the construction of a residential-business complex. We are stopping here with the preparation of documentation until we see interest, primarily from our employees, because every year we allocate three million euros to solve the housing problems of our employees. In my opinion, this money is a huge capital that could be invested in the construction of a residential complex that would solve the situation with employees regarding housing issues as soon as possible," said Bulatović.
At one of the election tribunes of the coalition "For the Future of Nikšić", Đukanović said that "in May - June, the first excavators, the first picks and shovels will appear in the area of 'Sunny City'". May is already approaching, June is not far away, and as things stand now, we will still have to wait for the "first excavators, picks and shovels". Đukanović previously announced that EPCG, by building "Sunny City", will manage to provide many more apartments for its employees without additional allocation of money, and that employees in local government, as well as in state institutions and ministries, will also be able to get apartments.
Municipal President Marko Kovačević, responding to questions from "Vijesti" about how far the "Sunny City" project has come and whether they expect assistance from the state level, said that, as an MP, he had asked the Prime Minister a question regarding assistance from the state level and that he supported it in principle.
"EPCG has submitted a request for UT conditions for the first 130 apartments, out of the planned one thousand. We, as a Municipality, will probably do the same on our land, with prior agreements with EPCG and other state and municipal institutions in Nikšić. Given that we have a planning document, we expect to begin construction of the first buildings in the 'Sunny City' in parallel with the construction of the shopping center. This is certain if there are no unforeseen procedures that need to be fulfilled. The possibility of powerful investors coming to Montenegro, which arose from the vote on the Government's agreement with the UAE, is a new possibility that should be considered in connection with this project. In any case, the possibilities are enormous and it is up to us to take advantage of them," said Kovačević.
In late March, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, in response to a parliamentary question from Kovačević whether the Government was ready to become more involved in the implementation of the "Sunny City" project, said that the executive branch would specifically engage in the project through "the construction of facilities of general interest as social services in this part of the city."
"Creating a new settlement requires the construction of a school, kindergarten, promenade, parks, and sports facilities," said Spajić.
For the success of the "Sunny City" project, as he said at the time, it is very important to ensure the arrival of companies that will generate new jobs and "make neglected land, predominantly state and municipally owned, in the eastern part of Nikšić", near the Steel Mill, more attractive for living and visitors.
"In this context, the Government and the competent institutions, through the adoption of amendments to the Spatial Urban Plan of the Municipality of Nikšić, enabled the development of the idea regarding the aforementioned project. This ultimately, with intensive communication, led to a contract between the municipality and the company 'Big Fashion', which will build a large shopping mall on the location planned for 'Sunny City'," said Spajić.
The first prize in the competition for the conceptual architectural design of the residential and business complex ''Sunčani grad'', announced by EPCG, was won by the team of authors Srđan Tadić, Aleksandar Marsenić and Bojan Vlahović. They won a cash prize worth 50.000 euros.
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