The new Independence Party-Progressive Party majority coalition in Reykjavík City Council, which began operating on Thursday, wants to begin discussions with the government immediately on relocating Reykjavík Domestic Airport.
“I have always had the opinion that the area where the airport is currently located is the best construction area in Reykjavík,” new Mayor of Reykjavík Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir told Morgunbladid, referring to Vatnsmýrin district, located centrally in the capital.
“This idea, that the airport is not supposed to be there, definitely requires more support,” Kristjánsdóttir admitted. “We will continue development near Vatnsmýrin based on the [winning idea of the] architecture competition which we organized [earlier this term].”
Kristjánsdóttir also said that determining the location of a new controversial building for the Iceland Academy of the Arts will be easier with a new majority. “I want to see the school at that place on Laugavegur [as originally planned].”
Kristjánsdóttir added that it is important to increase cooperation with the opposition parties in Reykjavík City Council, which she said will deliver better decision-making.
Former Mayor Ólafur F. Magnússon was opposed to constructing the new Art Academy building on Reykjavík’s main shopping street. He had also planned that Reykjavík Domestic Airport would be part of a new transport center, which construction has now been delayed.
Click here to read about Kristjánsdóttir formally replacing Magnússon as mayor last Thursday.
