The Warsaw Central Rail Station (Warszawa Centralna) will become lighter, cleaner and less smelly for EURO 2012.

A radical “facelift” of the most important railway station in Warsaw, built in 1975, will begin in spring 2010 and will last till 2012. The renovation will cost 22 million zloty (5.4 million euro).

Colourful booths and stalls, which are situated in the main hall, will be replaced with glass pavilions of different shape, where little cafes, railway information desks and news-stands will be located. All waiting rooms will also be renovated and the whole station will be adjusted to the needs of the handicapped.

Smelly bars and shops will disappear from underground passings that lead to the main hall and white ceilings will be installed there to give the impression of space and cleanliness. All stone walls will be washed and aluminium panels will be covered with advertisements on the outside and with the works of artists on the inside.

The Warsaw city government is contemplating demolishing the station and replacing it with a new one in eight or ten years. Soon it will announce a contest on the Warsaw Central Rail Station’s design. (mg)