Kaunas pearls come to life: What buildings will you manage?

Abundant list

This year, 43 historical buildings and other immovable cultural heritage objects will be funded by the heritage management program. Facade restoration, design work and decorative lighting are provided for $ 1.47 million. euros.

The maximum amount of support is as much as 250 thousand. euros – for the management of the facade of the Lithuanian Sports University. Significant funding is also provided for other exclusive places: the former Jewish Real Gymnasium standing on Laisvės Alley and Kestutis Street, where Juozas Naujalis Music School is now operating.

The historic apartment building of the Victory Factory (King Mindaugo Ave. 32), Zabieli Palace (Rotušės a. 10), pharmacist Vladas Stankūnas House (Savanoriu Ave. 58), Agricultural and Trade Company Building (Kęstučio Str. 51)

The buildings listed are an integral part of Kaunas identity. The masterpieces of interwar modernism, when the city supported the city, decorated with renovated facades, will be arranged with wall lighting, which will highlight the most beautiful buildings lines.

However, the municipality aims to be reborn not only by buildings that often become postcards and tours of guided tours, but also by buildings assigned to the protected heritage from the central part of the city. Here is the list of Trakai, Baritonus, Aukštonai streets, Vydūnas Avenue and other purpose houses in this year’s list. Some of the objects are included as continuous – their handling work began in 2024.

« The heritage management program remains the priority of the city’s business cards: the buildings of interwar modernism, the UNESCO and European heritage mark, the New Town, the Old Town and Žaliakalnis, the wooden architecture, » said Saulius Rimas, Head of the Cultural Heritage Department.

In addition, the focus is on wooden houses every year. This year will also renovate the facades of at least a few old wooden buildings.

« Here, the building, marked on Savanorių Ave. 44, is really exclusively handled-we hope that the end result will decorate Kaunas and will be an example for other wooden owners, » said the head of the Cultural Heritage Department.

Beauty: Firefighter House is already counting on I. Kant Street for a century, so the beauty of the building has become even more pronounced after the facade has been renovated. / Photo by Regimantas Zakšensk

Management work

The city’s contribution to masonry buildings can reach up to 50 % and up to 75 % of wooden. Exceptional cultural value objects can also claim 100 percent. seeking support of Kaunas city.

Building facades, authentic colors and architectural elements are restored for allocated funds. The installation of refurbished facade lighting and adaptation of buildings for people with mobility disabilities can also be funded.

« Most requests were received for the financing of the buildings in the New Town, the Old Town and Žaliakalnis, the facade management work. There are also requests for funding for the design work.

« The city municipality takes the view that the heritage management program is an effective tool for solving the problem of abandoned buildings, » added the head of the Cultural Heritage Department.

Example: Savanorių pr. 44 The wooden is handled very carefully. / Photo by Regimantas Zakšensk

Will you correct the mistakes?

Although more than 200 buildings have been cleaned through the heritage management program, there is one pain that has not healing for the second year. The management of the Milkcentre at the intersection of Laisvės Alley and S. Daukanto Street began in 2023, but so far it is not possible to complete it because contractors have decided to save and do the work without complying with heritage protection requirements.

Already since last autumn, there are no workers on this facility because the work had to be stopped by heritage conservationists. It was then found that the plaster was sprayed on the walls of the building, although the project states that it should have been lubricated. As a result of this negligence of contractors, the gem of interwar modernism did not become a regular building that lost its charm. Heritage guards also identified thousands of damage caused.

$ 1.47 million This is the intended to allocate facade restoration, design work, decorative lighting.

Kauno diena has repeatedly wondered why the works are not renewed in any way. We have received comments that the weather is expected to warm up and then resume work, and there were also claims that contractors will have to repair the defective defect, cover the plaster in a project approved and renovate the walls of the building as they were installed during the interwar period. However, the workers do not return to the object in any way. Apparently, there are ways to correct those rough management errors.

With the prolonged manner of the Pienocentre management, the city support was also canceled. Now the building managers have again applied through the heritage management program. If this time the work is done properly, Kaunas City Municipality is ready to compensate for part of the façade management cost. It is true that it is not yet in a hurry to turn money into the account of the application providers. The first need to arrange the facade in good quality, complying with the requirements.

Occasion: When renovating the Town Hall Square, some of the buildings will also wear a new clothes. / Photo by Regimantas Zakšensk

S. Rim says that in the application submitted by the Pienocentro building renovation, 137.5 thousand. euros. However, the approved list of objects funded by this year’s program states that the Milkycentre city provided for almost 59 thousand. euros.

« Before the renovation work begins, it is necessary to resolve the previously established heritage protection violations, which have resulted in the resumption of the project. Discussions with the Cultural Heritage Department (CPD) on illegally sprayed plaster removal methodologies are currently underway. Rimas hoped that one of the most prominent buildings of the central part of Kaunas would be renovated and would not become a long -term weed.

Shame: Pienocentro’s management work had to be suspended due to a defect made by contractors. / Photo by Regimantas Zakšensk

The order is changing

Kaunas City Municipality announced that from this year the funding of the heritage management program will be more efficient and flexible. From now on, applications are expected all year round.

In addition, after the program renewal, the term of the work is extended from a year to three.

“From the beginning of the heritage management program, we are aiming to ensure that Kaunas architecture is preserved, decorated with the city and efficiently renewed. the uniqueness of the territory, ”said Visvaldas Matijošaitis, Mayor of Kaunas City.

According to S. Rimas, Head of the Cultural Heritage Department of Kaunas Municipality, one of the biggest innovations is that residents can apply all year round. It is abandoned that the practice of the Urban Council approved the list of funded projects. From now on, the director of the administration will be responsible for this. In this way, the possibilities of applying for requests as soon as the documents are prepared and, upon approval that the project is funded, will be started.

Will update: Balconies will be managed in the apartment building on the Victory Factory of King Mindaugas Avenue. / Photo by Regimantas Zakšensk

It is also announced that the heritage management program is funded by the city budget and the resulting funds will be able to be additional in the course of the year, taking into account the real need for funding. For the convenience of buildings, the documents will also be accepted electronically: heritage management.kaunas.lt

According to the city representatives, the new procedure will allow you to finish the management work more smoothly, to avoid a defect due to material supply problems, to search for contractors or to other disturbances.

« Trends remain similar – we receive about fifty applications every year. With the entry into force of the heritage management program improvements, we hope that the number of applications for this year will double, » Rim said.

Since 2015 At the initiative of Kaunas Municipality, more than 230 buildings owners took advantage of their buildings. The city has already allocated almost 5.5 million litas during the program period. euros.