The members of the Skopje Council voted today to sell the recently built office building that was built to finally relocate the city management from the decrepit wooden barracks built as a temporary measure following the 1963 earthquake.

Mayor Petre Silegov explained the proposal by insisting that only 3/5 of the total city employees could fit in the new building. He also described it as isolated, even though it’s in the city center, underneath the Kale fortress.

The building in a neoclassical style was made as part of the Skopje 2014 project, a major urban renewal initiated by former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. Given the intense opposition to the project by Silegov’s SDSM party, it is believed that the decision today is driven by this motive.

The building is away from main public transport. I believe we can find a more fitting locaton for a proper house of the city, Silegov said.

Silegov added that the sale will be held through an auction and a committee will be formed to conduct the sale but also look for alternative locations.