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A monumental structure worth R$87 million remains unfinished in the port area of Rio de Janeiro. The Central Bank is in advanced negotiations with the Navy to
In the heart of Rio de Janeiro's port area, a monumental structure remains unfinished, symbolizing challenges and opportunities that have intertwined over the years.
Started in 2010, the construction that promised to be the new headquarters of the Central Bank (BC) became a concrete “skeleton”, awaiting a definition about its fate.
Currently, according to the portal Rio Diary, the Central Bank is in negotiations with the Brazilian Navy to transfer this work, which has been paralyzed since 2019, after an investment of R$87,5 million.
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The building, planned to house the Department of Circulating Currency (Mecir), responsible for the distribution of banknotes and coins produced by the Mint, faces obstacles ranging from archaeological discoveries on site to the judicial recovery of the contractor responsible for the construction.
Construction history
Since the 1970s, the BC had been planning to transfer Mecir from Avenida Rio Branco, in the center of Rio, due to the limitations imposed by the building's listing by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan).
These restrictions made it difficult to build vaults for storing valuables and improve infrastructure for destroying banknotes.
Furthermore, the intense flow of money transport in the central region caused disruptions to local traffic.
The choice of the port area, which is undergoing revitalization, was based on the local infrastructure, with wider avenues and better logistics for transporting valuables.
However, the project faced several obstacles, including the need for changes in urban planning legislation to allow the construction of a seven-story building in an area where, originally, only three floors were permitted.
In 2012, after the approval of legal changes, the contract with the construction company Engefort was expanded to include the planned seven floors.
However, the available resources were only sufficient to erect the reinforced concrete structure and part of the finishing, leading to the project being halted in 2019 due to lack of funds.
Navy plans for the building
If the transfer is completed, the Navy intends to use the building to concentrate several units currently spread throughout the city. The planned facilities include:
- Directorate of Ports and Coasts (DPC);
- Housing Construction Fund for Navy Personnel (CCCPM);
- Navy Social Communication Center in Rio de Janeiro (CCSM-Rio);
- Navy Veterans and Pensioners Service (SVPM);
- Naval Postgraduate Institute (INPG);
- Special Prosecutor's Office of the Navy (PEM);
- Navy Library;
- Marine Corps Personnel Command Veterans Affairs Department (CPesFN-70).
The centralization of these units aims to reduce operating costs and optimize the workforce.
The Navy highlights that the concentration will provide savings in budgetary resources due to the reduction in maintenance and operating costs, in addition to better use of the workforce and support services.
Additionally, the presence of units on site could boost the economy of the port region, with the daily movement of approximately 1.090 military personnel and around 1.000 visitors.
Challenges and audits
The project has faced several challenges over the years. In 2012, an audit of the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) identified a possible overprice of R$23 million in the bidding notice.
The agency fined the employees involved, but the punishment was later annulled, as the Court concluded that the penalized employees were not responsible for supervising the work.
The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) also investigated the case, but shelved the process after the BC justified that the stoppage occurred due to lack of funds.
Next Steps
The transfer of the property is still under analysis by the Superintendence of the Union's Heritage.
Meanwhile, the Navy is preparing a tender for the preparation of the basic project to complete the work, with the aim of installing military units on site aimed at the external public.
O central bank stated that the lack of availability in the Union budget for the continuity of services in 2020 forced the suspension of the contract in December 2019.
The agency reinforced that there was no budget forecast for 2021 and that, in 2022, the work was removed from the planning, beginning negotiations for its destination.
The completion of this transfer represents not only a solution for an unfinished project, but also an opportunity for revitalization and development for the port area of Rio de Janeiro, aligning institutional interests and benefits for society.
And the need to have a suitable location for MECIR, does it no longer exist? And if it still exists, is there new work to be done? Will it end now?