Open news feed Close news feed
A A

Mayrapetyan rushed to demolish AOKS building

Social

Representatives of several civil initiatives today gathered near the AOKS building after hearing the news about the demolition of this historical building located at Abovyan Street.

In response to this, representative of the Ministry of Culture Karo Ayvazyan assures that the ministry has offered the construction firm a new plan aimed at restoring the Lalayants Street, which forms a part of Old Yerevan.

"We have offered to review the plan because we would like to restore Lalayants Street. The building is being demolished for purposes of reconstruction," mentioned the ministry representative.

The citizens concerned about the protection of historical monuments welcome the plan to restore the street, but many questions remain unanswered.

Author of the plan "Let's Save the Monuments" Narek Ashughatoyan welcomes the fact that the Ministry of Culture has the desire to restore a street of historical significance, but says the demolition of that building is prohibited by the law. "There has to be a decision from the municipality permitting the replacement. If they are building a street, we welcome that. However, the construction of that street has to be proportionate. They shouldn't build something at the price of another," said Narek.

The protest continued in front of the Ministry of Culture, after which Deputy Minister of Culture Arev Samuelyan agreed to meet with the activists.

"During the meeting, we simply mentioned that the construction firm, namely head of Local Develops, owner Samvel Mayrapetyan had rushed to demolish the building," said organizer of the "Our City" initiative Grigor Ghazaryan.

The Deputy Minister of Culture assured that the demolished part of the building would be restored.
"It is clear that if the construction firm stops construction, but the street doesn't have the look it should have and the building remains demolished, the Ministry of Culture won't be held financially liable," said Narek Ashughatoyan after the meeting.

The Ministry of Culture has also assured that the owner is obliged to restore the building according to architectural solutions of the 19th century and place tiles on the street.