The construction inspectorate of the State Inspectorate has identified damage to the supporting structure of the Stari Grad underground car park in Rijeka, specifically the slab of Trg Ivana Klobučarića. The owner of the car park, Best in Parking – Stari Grad d.o.o., has been ordered by decision to rectify the identified damage, the City of Rijeka has announced.
The inspectorate informed the mayor of the finding in a letter dated 13 July, acting on requests made by the City since May 2025. The inspectorate inspected the car park and the square’s surface, as well as the documentation submitted by the City, including expert opinions from the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Rijeka.
Trg Ivana Klobučarića has been closed to the public since 25 May and will remain closed until the damage is repaired. The City notes that the structural integrity and stability of a building are fundamental requirements, and that maintenance and repair of the structure is a legal obligation for the owner.
The mayor, Ivana Rinčić, stated that the City had not yet received the decision, and therefore did not know its content or scope. The car park, unlike the square, remains in use, with its usage determined by its owner, as the City does not have the authority to prohibit the use of private property; only the State Inspectorate can do so.
Ms Rinčić noted that the owner had previously stated publicly that the safety of users was a 'priority, without exception and without compromise'. The owner is now being urged to honour that statement.
The condition of the car park, the owner's obligations, and the future of the square will be the central topics of the City Council meeting on Thursday, 23 July. The City states that the matter is being handled through the institutions and expert opinions, with the aim of a complete repair and the restoration of Trg Ivana Klobučarića to the public.
