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The law allowing the reconstruction of the São Januário Complex, in Vasco da Gama, is sanctioned
Published on 03/07/2024 - 20:39 | Updated
CET -Rio prepares closures around São Januário for Vasco's game - Fabio Motta/City of Rio Complementary Law No. 142/2023 was approved, allowing Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama to transfer the unused construction potential of the São Januário Complex to interested companies. The symbolic act was held this Wednesday (3/7), in the stadium's traditional Tribuna de Honra, the place where former president Getúlio Vargas, in 1940, announced the creation of the minimum wage.
With the right to an Army band and fireworks, Mayor Eduardo Paes signed the document alongside the president of Vasco da Gama, Pedro Paulo de Oliveira, the former player Pedrinho, from whom he received a commemorative plaque, membership card and the first title of Honorary Member of the club.
– Vasco da Gama touches all of us, even those who are not Vasco fans. We all have deep fond memories of this place, São Januário. It was not only the stage for many Vasco victories, but it is also part of Brazil’s political history. It was the club that first confronted racism in football, and it is worth remembering that. It was the club that showed the population, the Brazilian people, that it was possible to mix different races and social classes – highlighted the mayor.
Paes also said it was a huge challenge to approve the law that allows the reconstruction of the stadium.
– For three years we discussed and debated this project with the City Council, this challenge of approving a law that would finance the new São Januário. And today, here, we are consolidating this space. It is an honor, a joy, as mayor to be able to sign today the first step in the reconstruction of this club, this institution called Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama – said Paes.
The president of the City Council, Carlo Caiado, recalled that the project includes not only the reconstruction of the stadium, but the improvement of the surrounding community.
– This law, unanimously approved by the City Council, goes far beyond Vasco da Gama. It helps the stadium’s surrounding areas: São Cristóvão, Benfica, Caju. An amendment ensured that 6% of the amount will be invested in the region’s infrastructure. We know how important São Januário is to the region. When the stadium was closed, a study by the city government showed that almost 20 workers are directly or indirectly involved on game days. The city wins, the North Zone wins, and the Rio economy wins – said tricolor fan Carlo Caiado.
In practice, the project allows the club to transfer the “right to build” on the stadium area to interested parties and to be financially compensated for this transfer. The funds will have to be used for the renovation of the stadium and other improvements in the city. The companies participating in the transaction will be able to use this construction potential in available areas of Barra da Tijuca and regions close to the main road corridors and high-capacity transport links in the North Zone of the city.
The complementary law also establishes the Consortium Urban Operation (OUC) of the São Januário Stadium, in the Vasco da Gama neighborhood, which will be coordinated by the city government and establishes the counterparts for the execution of the law. Among them are the execution of infrastructure works to improve the area around the stadium and the creation of a mobility fund, with a portion of the amount negotiated between the club and the companies to be invested in works to improve traffic in some neighborhoods of the city.
The club will also have to carry out maintenance to preserve the historically listed façade, with its neocolonial architectural features, the structures of the roof slab, in addition to adapting the stadium to current operating standards.
The club must also preserve the historic façade of the stadium, which is listed, with its neocolonial architectural features, the structures of the roof slab, in addition to adapting the stadium to current operating standards.
Vasco's president, former player Pedrinho, thanked Mayor Eduardo Paes for his commitment and dedication to the São Januário reconstruction project.
– This is a historic moment for us, remembering that São Januário was built by an initiative of 10 thousand fans, who had no connection whatsoever, no internet, and built the largest stadium in Latin America. With the modernization of São Januário we bring the possibility of a much larger audience, revenue for the club and entertainment, and a stimulus for the economy of Rio de Janeiro – said Pedrinho.
The resources obtained through the benefits of the law are non-transferable and cannot be used to pay debts incurred by Associação Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, or by Sociedade Anônima de Futebol (SAF), given that the objective of the law is to preserve, enhance, and protect historical heritage.
Businessman Yuri Cardoso, 31, said it will be difficult to stay away from São Januário while the stadium is being rebuilt.
– It’s very exciting to know that the stadium is going to be renovated. It will be a sacrifice for all the fans, during the construction period, having to watch the games on other fields. But it will be worth it. Anything that benefits Vasco and the community is worth it. I have no doubt that it will be very beautiful – said Yuri, who is a Vasco fan, as are his wife and their son Yohan, 6 years old, who was baptized in the São Januário chapel.
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