By Vladimir Mikheev
Construction sites are common across Minsk, with accommodation, cultural, business and sporting sites being built. However, local authorities’ red tape, lack of control and inability to work with investors often hampers the creation of modern urban infrastructure, as Mr. Lukashenko berates local authorities.
The Head of State voiced his dissatisfaction on April 1st, as part of a meeting devoted to fulfilling his orders regarding construction across Minsk. “In honesty, I’m fed up with constantly being informed of delays, failure to complete significant projects and reconsideration of investment projects,” he stressed, noting with regret that such situations are most common in Minsk — to the shame of city authorities. “This topic — construction in Minsk — has reached a tipping point. Putting it bluntly, I have no intention of letting it go. Our Government and, even, law-enforcement agencies might be fine with this but I’m completely dissatisfied,” Mr. Lukashenko added.
The President noted that the capital is our country’s ‘face’, making it vital that significant new architecture and modern infrastructure are built, as well as preserving historical buildings of cultural importance. “This is to the benefit of our people and is in the best interests of future generations, as well as those of today. I’m concerned by the slow pace of work and its quality but we can’t just blame architects and builders; those officials in charge should bear full responsibility for project implementation,” Mr. Lukashenko declared.
According to the President, several sites are experiencing this ‘negative’ situation — including the Minsk-City, Traktor and Dynamo stadiums, the Freestyle Centre and the Aquapark. “Each has been facing numerous problems for a while, due to red tape, an inability to work with investors, a lack of control and failure to complete legalities. From this point of view, Minsk City Executive Committee’s work is truly unsatisfactory,” he added.
Mayor Nikolai Ladutko, the Chairman of Minsk City Executive Committee, reported on progress regarding Presidential orders, stating that the new building for the Great Patriotic War Museum is ready, with the Culture Ministry now overseeing exhibition preparations. As planned, the museum will open for celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazis.
Many sporting sites of national significance are being built at the moment in the capital. Reporting on the Freestyle Centre, Mr. Ladutko said, “Construction is finished and the site is ready for commissioning.” Minsk’s Lebyazhy Aquapark is also ready, being launch in May. Dynamo Stadium is being transformed into a track-and-field stadium of international level — enabling it to host top competitions. Meanwhile, international architects have been asked to submit ideas for the design of the new National Football Stadium (near the existing Traktor Stadium). Mr. Ladutko notes that construction should begin in 2015, for launch by mid-2018.
The Minsk-City Business Centre is the most significant project in the capital at present, with the architect chosen by tender. Much work is underway to ensure that the site is prepared adequately. Mr. Ladutko believes that Minsk City Executive Committee, the Government and investors need to join efforts to ensure that the project comes to fruition.
Construction sites are common across Minsk, with accommodation, cultural, business and sporting sites being built. However, local authorities’ red tape, lack of control and inability to work with investors often hampers the creation of modern urban infrastructure, as Mr. Lukashenko berates local authorities.
The Head of State voiced his dissatisfaction on April 1st, as part of a meeting devoted to fulfilling his orders regarding construction across Minsk. “In honesty, I’m fed up with constantly being informed of delays, failure to complete significant projects and reconsideration of investment projects,” he stressed, noting with regret that such situations are most common in Minsk — to the shame of city authorities. “This topic — construction in Minsk — has reached a tipping point. Putting it bluntly, I have no intention of letting it go. Our Government and, even, law-enforcement agencies might be fine with this but I’m completely dissatisfied,” Mr. Lukashenko added.
The President noted that the capital is our country’s ‘face’, making it vital that significant new architecture and modern infrastructure are built, as well as preserving historical buildings of cultural importance. “This is to the benefit of our people and is in the best interests of future generations, as well as those of today. I’m concerned by the slow pace of work and its quality but we can’t just blame architects and builders; those officials in charge should bear full responsibility for project implementation,” Mr. Lukashenko declared.
According to the President, several sites are experiencing this ‘negative’ situation — including the Minsk-City, Traktor and Dynamo stadiums, the Freestyle Centre and the Aquapark. “Each has been facing numerous problems for a while, due to red tape, an inability to work with investors, a lack of control and failure to complete legalities. From this point of view, Minsk City Executive Committee’s work is truly unsatisfactory,” he added.
Mayor Nikolai Ladutko, the Chairman of Minsk City Executive Committee, reported on progress regarding Presidential orders, stating that the new building for the Great Patriotic War Museum is ready, with the Culture Ministry now overseeing exhibition preparations. As planned, the museum will open for celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazis.
Many sporting sites of national significance are being built at the moment in the capital. Reporting on the Freestyle Centre, Mr. Ladutko said, “Construction is finished and the site is ready for commissioning.” Minsk’s Lebyazhy Aquapark is also ready, being launch in May. Dynamo Stadium is being transformed into a track-and-field stadium of international level — enabling it to host top competitions. Meanwhile, international architects have been asked to submit ideas for the design of the new National Football Stadium (near the existing Traktor Stadium). Mr. Ladutko notes that construction should begin in 2015, for launch by mid-2018.
The Minsk-City Business Centre is the most significant project in the capital at present, with the architect chosen by tender. Much work is underway to ensure that the site is prepared adequately. Mr. Ladutko believes that Minsk City Executive Committee, the Government and investors need to join efforts to ensure that the project comes to fruition.
