The city government is considering a long list: a stable economy program, a campus plan, a service network, and a needs assessment for a family house.

28.5.2026 News Travel center Town government Service network Decision making Program for a stable economy Early childhood education

A view from the front of the travel center, where a bus is standing at a stop and bicycles are parked. There is a large HAMK advertising banner on the wall of the travel center. — Photo: Okko Lausmaa

The agenda for the next meeting of the Riihimäki City Board includes an exceptionally large number of important issues for the city. At the meeting on Monday, June 1, 2026, the City Board will discuss, among other things, the stable economy program, next year's budget framework, and the change in the local plan of the Travel Center (Eteläinen Asemakatu 2).

In addition to these, the city government is also considering the daycare and basic education service network and the family house needs assessment. The government tabled both issues at its previous meeting. Tabled means, in political decision-making, temporarily suspending the consideration of an issue and postponing it to the next meeting.

Ten million savings target

The city has been preparing its second stable economy program since the spring. Mayor Jouni Eho is proposing to the government that the city's finances be balanced with at least ten million euros for the program period 2027–2029.

The proposal also includes the following:

The city is stabilizing its operating budget with 5,8 million euros.
The city will increase the tax rate by 0,3 percentage points in 2027. The current tax rate is 7,9. The tax increase would bring the city approximately two million euros in the first year.
The tax increase and other necessary balancing measures to achieve the 10 million euro target will be decided in connection with the budget process.
The amount of net investments may not exceed 15 million per year over the next five-year period.

In addition to the changing operating environment and employment challenges, the city's economy is also being challenged by the decline in the number of children and tax revenues. The decline in the number of children reduces the government transfers the city receives. In addition, the main challenge is the growth of the loan stock, unless investments are curbed.

After consideration by the City Council, the sustainable economic program will be submitted to the City Council for information.

HAMK's new campus plan to be decided

The change to the local plan for the travel center is significant for the city. The mayor proposes to the board to approve the change, display it on display, and request the necessary statements.

The zoning change will enable the relocation and development of the Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) campus in the city centre. The location of the campus on the Matkakeskus Liikerada will strengthen the vitality of the city centre area.

The plan designates the current Travel Center site as a block area for business premises and educational buildings. In addition to teaching and office premises, the plan also allows for commercial premises, public service premises and a parking facility. Thanks to the plan amendment, additional construction can be carried out in connection with Liikerada so that the current building stock is preserved. The target new floor area of the site is a maximum of 20,000 square meters. The floor area will increase by approximately 10,000 square meters. The area of the plan amendment area is 13,276 square meters.

HAMK will build new facilities utilizing the existing building, so that in the first phase the additional construction required by the campus will be located along Eteläinen Asemakatu, as a single-storey building. When making the site plan change, HAMK's possible future expansion needs have been taken into account.

The urban plan change area is owned by HAMK, Kiinteistö Oy Riihimäen Matkakeskus and Business Riihimäki (Riihimäen Tilat ja Kehitys Oy).