Published in: Helsingin Sanomat, 22nd of November, 2004

- THE RESTORATION WORK IN THE LAPPEENRANTA FORTIFICATION COMING TO AN END

- THE LACK OF CITY PLAN, PREVENTS TO DEVELOP THE AREA FURTHER

- The restoration work which has continued thirty years, has made the Lappeenranta fortification the jewel of city, when it before was the backyard place. The renovated banks, outer fortifications and redoubts are making the area into a one single easily defined area, which the citizens area now thinking as a part of the city of Lappeenranta and an interesting place to visit. The lack of planning is one of the major obstacles and a reason why there hasn't been a city plan for the area, which could strengthen the future of the place. The city plan which is confirmed by the city council is a sort of a compromise, which still leaves "white" areas among the old buildings.

- The fortification is a piece of countryside inside of a city, says the city architect. He wishes that the new city manager would put some speed to the city planning and that the construction efforts could be started to live up the area. It is thought to be important that the construction efforts are coordinated and well planned in order to fit everything nicely among the old buildings. The fortification area wont be turned into a residential area, but for example some certain occupational groups could live and work in the area. Now the area contains mostly museums and some handicraft shops and different cultural places. There is only some 70 people living in the area. The museum office has also investigated how the restoration work has affected to the area and this kind of investigation is a first of it's kind. 

- All sides were thought in the investigation, history and tourists, but also what the people living and working in the fortification area thinks and how the citizens and tourists value and think about the area. The researchers believe that the value of the fortification area has risen a lot since the restoration project. Even when the authenticity has been covered under a many different layers, the area is now a one complete fortification area.

- The citizens think that the area is now a much more enjoyable, but majority of the people whish that the area would be protected from any mass gatherings, like the Night of the Fortification and different events, when there is youth causing troubles at the banks and outer fortifications. The researcher hopes that there could be an open discussion in Lappeenranta, to decide how the area should be developed in the future. The current city plan has served it's purpose in a way, that now the outer fortifications have been renovated and the different constructions are fixed. The last construction that was renovated and fixed, was the Frisenheim redoubt, which however wasn't completed. Also the renovation of the bank of Nikolai and the gate of Hamina was left in a half-way. These jobs will be completed in the next summer. 

- The total sum that has been spent to the renovation work has been 4,7 million euros and the city has spend some 11 million euros to the old buildings in the area. The buildings that are still waiting for the renovation are the sport hall, the oldest barrack in the area and a one house.