City Council Approves Measures to Protect Former OPG Property Sale
Regarding the disposal of the former OPG (Psychiatric Hospital) properties, decided by the Hospital Company, the city council has unanimously approved a guiding document that, in addition to reaffirming the principles of reinvesting the proceeds from the auction into the redevelopment of S. Pellegrino and ensuring full compliance with the regulations during the renovation process, reserves the right to exercise pre-emption on the area, authorizing the mayor and the executive to take all necessary actions.
The discussion was opened with a report from the assessor Azzoni, who began by recalling that he learned on September 16th, from La Gazzetta, about the auction. “I am deeply concerned about the potential impact this initiative could have on the urban planning framework of the ex-Opg, and on the future of S. Pellegrino,” emphasized Azzoni.
In 1996, with the De Padova administration, ahead of the transfer of the OPG to Ghisiola, a specific variation of the City Plan (Prg) was approved for the area, establishing binding parameters for the future redevelopment. In 1998, with the creation of the Poma company and the Sigurtà administration, contacts between the two entities began, culminating in a letter of intent from Poma and the Municipality, which states that, in the event of disposal, Poma will take into account the right of purchase and pre-emption of the Municipality, ensuring that the area’s use complies with the City Plan.
On the verge of moving to the council, a change in Poma’s leadership has put everything back into question. The new director, Colombo, decided to commission an appraisal of the area before proceeding with a direct sale without a recovery plan, informing the Municipality accordingly.
“I believe that the Council should define initiatives consistent with the positions expressed by the administration so far,” concluded Azzoni, recalling a regulation that recognizes the pre-emption right of public entities over former psychiatric buildings. From the debate, where all councilors expressed agreement with Azzoni’s considerations, doubts emerged regarding the economic viability of the pre-emption exercise proposed by Saviola, while others, including Mattioli and Margonari, fully supported it.
This right has nonetheless been included among the tools to be examined and considered to achieve the strategic objectives, with the council reserving a moment for discussion during the group leaders’ conference.
