The construction project surrounding Hársfa Street – Rákóczi Street – Szövetség Street as a stain of shame

The construction around Hársfa Street – Rákóczi Street – Szövetség Street stopped at least 15 years ago, and this centrally located abandoned area has been a shameful spot in the district ever since. Moreover, there are no cameras on any of the streets between Dohány and Rákóczi (although there was one on Szövetség Street, but someone broke it and it has not been replaced since). Drug trafficking is openly taking place in this 'invisible' part of both Szövetség and Hársfa Street, and these parts are also often used as public toilets. Is it possible to know if something will finally happen with this area? It would also be great to install working cameras here. 2023/04/27 response from the Office of Urban Architecture and Property Management: “In response to the inquiry regarding the construction project surrounding Hársfa Street – Rákóczi Street – Szövetség Street, we would like to inform you that pursuant to Section 3 (1) of the Metropolitan Municipality Decree No. 48/1994. (VIII.1.) on the Public Cleanliness of the Capital, the owner of the property is obliged to ensure, among other things, that the property and the public area in front of the property are kept clean, as follows: “Section 3 (1) The owner (manager, user) of the property is obliged to ensure: a) the care and maintenance of the property - including the urban land parcel registered as public area in the property register - and the sidewalk in front of the property, as well as the built-up or unbuilt area between the sidewalk and the driveway, the removal of garbage and weeds, the removal of snow and the removal of slippery surfaces.” The aforementioned legislation makes it the obligation of property owners and condominiums to keep the public area in front of the condominium/other properties clean, while the Erzsébetváros Municipality of Budapest's VII. District, the Erzsébetváros Development and Investment Limited Liability Company and the Erzsébetváros Police Directorate try to ensure the maintenance of public cleanliness with all possible resources. In addition to the public cleanliness tasks established in the legislation above, in order to improve the public cleanliness of the district, the Erzsébetváros Municipality has concluded a public cleanliness task performance contract with Erzsébetváros Kft., according to which the company's employees carry out regular cleaning in the public areas owned by the Erzsébetváros Municipality in Outer and Central Erzsébetváros, as well as on the sidewalk of Rákóczi Street, owned by the Budapest Metropolitan Municipality, including the area indicated by you. We forwarded their report to Erzsébetváros Kft., drew their attention to the reported area, asking for increased attention to public cleanliness/cleaning. Furthermore, the existing camera system is currently undergoing a complete renovation of the area, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. The renovation includes the renovation of the central server and the signal transmission system and the replacement of technically outdated surveillance cameras. Of course, we also take into account the suggestions of the representatives and the public during the planning process, but it is necessary to consult with the police to select the exact location for the installation of new cameras, after which the final decision will be made by the representative body once the technical conditions are met. Upon their report, we will monitor the areas outside the surveillance zone of the cameras with increased patrols. As you know, the construction authority has been permanently transferred to the Government Offices as of 01.03.2020, therefore, accurate information regarding unfinished construction projects – with expired construction permits – in matters affecting the administrative area of the VII. District is available at the West Pest Construction Department of the BFKH Construction and Heritage Protection Department. According to the records of our office, the construction authority granted permission for the continuation of the existing “concrete torso” on the property at Hársfa u. 3 – Szövcetség u. 4-6. – for the further construction of a residential property in the remaining building structure by partially demolishing the 6th floor and the 7th -8th floors. The licensing procedures can be followed on the website www.e-epites.hu through the general information window of the ÉTDR, and are accessible to anyone, and the announcement site plan and facade uploaded for the licensing procedures can be viewed. We do not have any information about the licensing procedure regarding the property at 66 Rákóczi Street, however, the property is closed from the Rákóczi Street side.”