LUCCA. One in five makes it. This could be the answer to the market survey launched by the Municipality of Lucca in order to gauge the interest of private individuals and collect (non-binding) proposals relating to the recovery and redevelopment of the southern Manifattura, the 14 thousand meters of the former cigar factory not affected by the ex Piuss interventions and the ministry’s resources.
The fifth
Five proposals arrived: the most structured is that of Music Innovation Hub, a Milan-based company that proposes to create a multifunctional center with a music gallery, rehearsal and recording rooms, courses and training services linked to culture and provided by entities from the territory gathered in the Polimea consortium; then there is that of Guild Living International, a company specialized in “senior living” which would like to create an excellent residential complex for over 65s; among the proposals also that of Firenze Touring srl, a company of the Bulgarella group which has targeted two of the three lots to build a student residence and a multipurpose hall (about 30% of the surface area) but above all a large hotel; Metro, the parking company owned by the municipality, has proposed a multi-storey car park in one or more of the lots; finally, Sidoti Engineering, a company whose proposal was vague. The evaluation commission analyzed the projects and drew up a report. The Tyrrhenian asked the mayor Mario Pardini to find out what emerged. «We are satisfied to have received five proposals – explains the mayor – a sign that there is interest in Lucca and in the recovery of the former factory. There are five different proposals but only one meets the criteria indicated in the notice, i.e. those of a space intended primarily for socio-cultural and educational activities. From this the Music Innovation Hub proposal is the only one that falls within the canons.” The project presented by the company of which Andrea Rapaccini is president is quite detailed in terms of content and subjects involved: the Milan company acted as a collector to put together a group of local companies active in the educational, artistic and musical fields (Boccherini conservatory , Jam Academy, 9 Muse, Soecoforma, Mpl communication by Pier Luigi Stefani, Ems srl) but also activities related to catering (Ottavo Nano and Franklin 33) and hospitality (Ostello Bello in Milan) and which they would like to transfer, in whole or in part, its activities within the new Manufacture. «The number of subjects involved – explains Pardini – has further expanded: in the proposal presented to the Municipality they became part of the Sago srl group, Simone Gialdini’s cinema company, which would like to build a multiplex without however dismantling the other theaters already present in the center of Lucca; Ego Wellness which would like to create a fitness and wellness room and finally the Carrara Academy of Fine Arts. Undoubtedly it is a fascinating project, which arises from the territory given the involvement of many entities already active in Lucca, and if realized it would bring important functions in the field of higher education within the Manufacture as we hoped”.
Sustainability
Having said that, now we need to look at the numbers: «We need an asseveration of the economic-financial program (Pef, ed.) – says Pardini – which was not foreseen in this exploratory investigation. A necessary step to guarantee sustainability and avoid a repeat of what happened with the stadium.” The estimate indicated by Music Innovation Hub is 30-35 million euros, not peanuts. Money that should come from investors found and involved by the Milan company. Who they are is not known: in the past there had been the interest of public companies (such as Invimit), while in the latest interview with Tyrrhenian (in February) Rapaccini spoke of private investors, in particular of an international company already active in this type of initiative. The resources would be disbursed by this entity (public or private, we will see) who, in exchange for the concession of the surface right for 50 years by the Municipality, would take on the payment of an annual fee. Afterwards, the financing entity will establish a rental contract with Polimea, the managing entity, made up mostly of companies from Lucca, which will have the task of guaranteeing a return on the investment of at least 8 percent per year. The business model is based on the payment of rental fees, partly paid by third parties who rent the spaces, partly supported by Polimea partners who carry out the activity within the Manufacturing. There will also be commercial spaces, but to a minimal extent.
The Cue
It all comes back on paper, but as Rapaccini himself has always repeated, the money is spent on a concrete project, not on an idea. And now that the proposal presented by Music Innovation Hub has the approval of the Municipality, it will be necessary to go into detail to give shape to the public-private partnership. Possibly also including the 6,000 square meter Stecca in the project, the building included in the South Manufacturing at the end of 2021 sold to a private individual who has not yet revealed his intentions. «It is desirable that there is a dialogue and a shared vision – explains Mayor Pardini – between the promoters of the proposal and the Stecca owners. Also because there will have to be a single implementation plan. In this sense I received reassurances from the Stecca ownership representative: there is an interest in doing good for the city.” In addition to examining the merits of economic sustainability, it will be necessary to build the public-private partnership which could take the form of project financing, project finance, availability contract, etc. Once the form has been chosen, the Municipality will have to issue a tender to tender the concession on the basis of a project, which could be that of Music Innovation Hub, which in this case will have priority given the same offer. «These are aspects that will have to be defined – explains Pardini – what is certain is that the Manufacture will not be sold. It will be given out under concession, it remains to be seen with what formula and for how long, but it will certainly remain the property of the Municipality. Once the minutes have been closed, we will have clearer ideas and I hope that those who have expressed interest will arrive with a proposal accompanied by a detailed PEF and we can immediately sit down to build a project. My dream is to see the works start within a year.”
