Kõlvart rejects claims of rift over Estonia theatre extension

Tallinn city leaders have denied a coalition rift over plans to expand the Estonia theatre, ERR reported, after Mayor Peeter Raudsepp cancelled a proposal to examine heritage protection options for building an extension on Theatre Square. Estonia is preparing to take the city to court over the issue.

Tallinn City Council Chairman Mihhail Kõlvart of the Centre Party said he agreed with both the mayor and the Estonia theatre that the proposed location at Uus Turg Square should first be examined as a possible site for the extension.

“There are certainly no divisions in the coalition,” Kõlvart told ERR. He said the city had been considering whether to discuss the theatre’s proposal or examine alternative locations in parallel.

Kõlvart said the proposal to build the extension at Uus Turg Square had received numerous questions, and possibly negative assessments, from state and city agencies. He said both the Estonia proposal and possible alternatives should be discussed, but that the theatre’s proposal should be processed first.

He said Raudsepp’s decision to halt the analysis of alternatives did not represent a fundamental disagreement within the governing coalition, but concerned the order in which the work should proceed.

“Today, there is no decision to make. Today, we only need to discuss the matter,” Kõlvart said.

Kõlvart also noted that the state would ultimately decide on and finance the theatre’s expansion. He said the state had not yet adopted a final position and had the authority to handle the relevant planning procedures, but added that public views on the issue varied widely.

Deputy Mayor Tiit Terik of the Centre Party also said there was no conflict behind the decision. According to Terik, he and the mayor had agreed to complete the assessment of one location before considering another potential site.

Terik said the mayor had the right to determine how the issue should be approached because he leads the city government and political decisions in such matters are made by politicians.