On Thursday, April 3, 2003, the k-marked Folkets hus in central Luleå was completely destroyed in an arson.
The perpetrator is still unknown to the police.
"As high as possible"
Since then, the plot close to the center behind Shopping and Filmstaden has functioned as a parking lot.
Folkets hus-förening and MAF sold the land in June to Nåiden Bygg, which wants to develop as much of the plot as possible.
- We have paid a market price and we want to build as high as possible.
We aim for at least fifteen floors and it could be apartments, office premises or a hotel, says the construction company's work manager Per Utterström.
He thinks it's fun that the construction company gets to take part in changing the center of Luleå.
- This is exciting.
The lot is small and it's crowded and we have to come to an agreement with the municipality and the neighbors as well, he says.
"Housing is needed"
Glenn Berggård (V), opposition councilor in Region Norrbotten, is also a board member of the folkets hus association and he is satisfied with the deal, although he says he has forgotten the size of the purchase price.
- Now we hope that this will be realized, that it will be a high-rise building with fifteen floors.
Housing is needed and premises are needed in the centre.
Part of the settlement is also that the folkets hus association will be allowed to rent premises on the ground floor of the high-rise to conduct business, he says.