Today an important meeting took place at Milan City Hall to discuss the possible renovation of San Siro.
The attendees included Mayor Giuseppe Sala, Milan's president Paolo Scaroni, Inter's CEO Alessandro Antonello, and WeBuild's general manager, Massimo Ferrari, who intends to take charge of the project.
Exiting Palazzo Marino, Milan's Mayor Giuseppe Sala stopped to brief the journalists present on the situation regarding San Siro and its renovation.
Here's what he said:
"The top management of Milan and Inter, as well as the CEO of WeBuild, were present. Good spirit, now there's work to be done. The Municipality welcomes WeBuild's proposal to conduct this analysis, this pro bono study, and it must be completed by June."
Sala added:
"The teams have confirmed that within a few days they will submit documents with their requests, relating to what should be inside the stadium: VIP seats, improvements in services such as elevators, bathrooms, accessibility, but also external services such as commercial spaces, lounges. From now until June, we will be waiting for this work that must demonstrate that it can be done at a sustainable cost. How much? It depends on what the teams ask for. And above all, by blocking the stadium as little as possible. It is evident that I do not expect the teams to slow down on alternative projects, I cannot ask for it, and it would make no sense. It is equally evident that if WeBuild were to produce a good plan that meets the requirements we have mentioned, then I would expect a response from the teams."
He continued:
"It's difficult to be optimistic or pessimistic, let's say that the atmosphere around the table is very positive. I am sure that the teams are looking at this option with interest, knowing that there are other alternatives. And at this point, we begin to have a moment of truth, which I set for June."
Have any guidelines emerged from the two companies?
"The essential points are that the teams know that it's not a historical moment to consider increasing ticket prices. The teams have 70,000 fans at every game; it's not possible to ask them to pay much more for tickets. Revenues can increase from two perspectives: one is through VIP seats, and the other is through the idea that fans go to the stadium earlier and can experience it for more hours, from lunch to purchasing items to visiting the museum. Essential for the clubs is also a high-level museum. Today's museum is objectively not great but attracts many visitors. Catering spaces and services, commercial spaces are equally essential."
Has WeBuild specified how these renovation works could be done? Sala replied:
"WeBuild has expressed the need to work intensively from May to August. How long it will take, but it's just my feeling, it's something within a couple of years. If they work in the summer months on three shifts, 24 hours a day, they are convinced they can do it. Then there is the whole external part, which is independent."
What would be the process if this proposal were agreed upon?
"In the interest of the teams and the Municipality, we could find a formula to immediately transfer the stadium to the teams. Alongside these technical analyses, we will start thinking about how to structure the entire process. But obviously, I try to be optimistic, but today I don't have elements to be more than that."
So, would it become a stadium owned by the two clubs?
"Yes, in one way or another. There are two options: with immediate definitive transfer or with surface rights."
With the imminent Olympics, excluding this summer and with concerts already scheduled and on sale in 2025, when would the renovation works start?
"Nothing can be done this year, if we talk about the summer of 2025, concert promoters say they have been sold, but we can consider it. A well-done renovation of San Siro is also in the interest of concert organizers. We will also do it with the aim of making it usable for concerts", said Sala.
So, work before or after the Olympics?
"I can't say, it depends on WeBuild. But I think the works should start before."
Years ago, a study was conducted on a renovation. Could it be considered?
"There were some ideas, for example, Inter mentioned a study from the times of Thohir. All material that the teams will provide to WeBuild, who will also listen to those who have done other works, in particular, I asked them to convene the architects whose project we recently presented in the council commission."
Has the fourth tier been discussed?
"No."
