Build and destroy, destroy and build, and again destroy, or ... as the comedians from YMU used to say, “What are we doing? Correct, we are piddling”. No, it’s not a joke … 16 years later, it turned out that there was no need of demolishing the Youth Palace. In other words, people were right, when they opposed the demolition of this architectural value. Recently, the design project of reconstruction of the Youth Palace (was nicknamed the “Corn Building”) was posted on the Facebook page of development and investment programs. The reconstruction was the pre-election promise of Yerevan mayor Hayk Marutyan. The three-dimensional model of the reconstruction was recently presented by the architectural studio «A3 Architects». According to the presented model, the new design is a complete copy of the previous building. Let us recall, that the Youth Palace, the symbol of Yerevan city, was sold in 2004, and in two years it had been demolished in order to build a hotel in its place. But, despite the fact that many tenders were announced, the project has not been implemented, and the territory of the building now serves as a parking lot. Building design co-author Hrach Poghosyan in one of his interviews said: “The person who bought the Youth Palace claimed that it had small rooms, which is unacceptable for the first-class hotel, which he was going to build. … I offered him several options, in particular, to have luxury rooms on ground floors of the building, and leave the small rooms in other parts”. Unfortunately, this interesting proposal was ignored. Today, when they plan to erect the Youth Palace in the city center, it would be more reasonable to involve Hrach Poghosyan in design and construction works. It should be noted that this building is not the only one with a similar fate, copies of which are now being built as part of “Old Yerevan” project. However, how justified is this policy? From one hand, the city loses its historical face, from the other, they cause psychological trauma to honored architects. The only positive side is that the new constructed buildings will comply with updated seismic safety standards. Designed by architects Artur Tarkhanyan, Spartak Khachikyan and Hrachya Poghosyan the Youth Palace construction was launched 1967. The official opening took place in 1979. The interior of the building was decorated with interesting works of art, a gilded sculpture of Adam and Eve by Mkrtich Mazmanyan was placed in the bar, and the sculpture Spring by Tom Gevorgyan was placed in the lobby. The palace was decorated with frescoes by Armine Kalents, tapestries by Nelly Asatryan, stained glass windows of Martin Zakaryan and a wooden map of Armenia by Zorik Stepanyan.

A new skate park will be built near Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, inside the Circular Park, also known as the Youth park. Thus, the Circular Park and its surroundings will revive. For the implementation of this project, Mayor of the capital Hayk Marutyan recently signed a donor agreement with the President of the Union of Armenians in Ukraine Vilen Shatvoryan. «When we hear from our homeland, we do our best to help. Relations with Armenia give us strength and energy, and therefore, we do our best to maintain that link», - said the President of the Union of Armenians in Ukraine Vilen Shatvoryan. According to the plan, the construction of the skate park will begin in the coming months in a public area of 5044 sq.m. The project consists of two phases. The first phase is scheduled on June 30. For that period of time the relief slope of the southern part of the playground will be transformed into an amphitheater, directed to the playground. It is designed to build a skate rental, first-aid post, to refresh the green spaces. The area will be equipped with stylish solar-powered fans and general perimeter lighting using LED system. During the second phase of the project the existing green zone of the eastern part will be renovated with the help of unique plant landscapes and an observation deck. The problem of public lavatories in the park will also be solved, for the construction of which there will be a separate project. It is planned to finish the construction completely by August 2020, which means that already this year the skate park will open its doors to our fellow citizens. «We came to a wonderful decision that this project will first of all bring happiness to our youth. This is how the idea was born to build a long-awaited and much-needed skate park in the capital. It is not only sport, it is also culture, a place of leisure, where young people will play sports and communicate with each other. It is important for our city. And this is only the beginning …», noted the mayor of Yerevan.

After a short break due to the new coronavirus infection, the construction of the second section of M6 interstate road is already restarted (Tumanyan-Bagratashen customs checkpoint, 51.74 km). The section connects Armenia with Georgia. The road M6 Vanadzor-Alaverdi-Georgian border starts from Vanador city, crossing 33 communities of Lori and Tavush marzes of RA, and reaches Bagratashen customs checkpoint. The first stage of reconstruction of this 90 km long interstate road was completed on December 24, 2018․Tumanyan-Bagratashen customs checkpoint (51.74 km) is currently being renovated with the co-financing of the Asian Development Bank (44.04M EUR) and Armenian government (10.14M EUR). This road of interstate significance, serving more than 3 dozen communities, was in a desperate condition and was of great inconvenience to drivers and passengers travelling from Armenia to Georgia. In spring, after the snow and rain, the danger of rockslides and collapses increases, which was taken into consideration as well. The works include also construction of retaining walls and drainage system. Road reconstruction works are carried out in 3 sections with the involvement of 3 contractors. The works in the sections are carried out by the following companies: Tumanyan-Sanahin Station - Horizon 95 LLC; Sanahin Station – Haghpat - AAB Project LLC; Haghpat - Bagratashen customs checkpoint - Suardi JSC. 8 bridges will be repaired at Tumanyan-Bagratashen customs checkpoint, including 2 bridges in Alaverdi, that serve the route of Vanadzor-Alaverdi interstate road. One of the bridges was built in 1961 and another in 1989. The need to build the second bridge in Alaverdi arose due to the emergency condition of the old bridge. And yet, all these years the old bridge was being used. The completion of M6 “Vanadzor-Alaverdi-Georgian border” interstate road reconstruction is scheduled for November 2020․

Recently Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan met with representatives of Renovation Project Management Company regarding the construction of a residential complex in the area adjacent to Halabyan Street. It is noteworthy, that the implementation of this project could be a great stimulus for the economy, taking into account the global crisis of the past few months, that caused great damage to the economy. Given these and other circumstances, we hope that the project implementation will not take long. Construction is one of the areas that can give some impetus to the economy, which suggests that this project will be implemented in the nearest future. According to the preliminary design, it is planned to build five multi-storey buildings, which will completely solve the problem of the resettlement of residents in six adjacent unsafe buildings. According to the proposed project, relocation of the residents will start only after construction is complete. According to the plan, the tenants of the newly constructed buildings will be provided with repaired apartments in accordance with their existing living space, and those who have garages will receive underground parking lots. The Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan gives great importance to the social aspect of the project, which promotes the solution of the problem of living in a safe, reliable and comfortable environment for residents of unsafe buildings on Halabyan street. According to the preliminary design only 6,000 square meters will be used for the construction of the buildings, the remaining 35,000 square meters will be fully landscaped and used as a recreation zone. According to the information from the mayor’s office, Hayk Marutyan emphasized that the community supports all investors and developers who, in parallel with city improvement, solve important social issues.

Recently the Department of Information and Public Relations of Yerevan Municipality informed us about the planned repair and construction works in the capital city this year. According to the information provided, the program of major repairs includes repair of numerous educational, cultural and recreational institutions and roads. “Within the framework of Asian Development Bank we have projects for 30 kindergartens”,- said Grigor Harutyunyan, head of the Department of Construction and Improvement of Yerevan Municipality. Three important cultural centers will be renovated during this year. The Theater of the Young Spectator, the City Youth Creativity Center, Children and Youth Creative Civil Center and the Exhibition hall of the People's Artist of Armenia Eduard Isabekyan soon will function in completely new environment. Improvement of the exhibition hall is one of the main tasks, if we take into account the fact that there are about 30 paintings, and the hall does not have the necessary conditions for humidity, lighting and temperature. “The problem is acute, since the paintings are already damaged. Paint layers are swollen and cracked. The exhibition hall will begin to work, will be reborn, there will be many expositions”, said the Director of the Exhibition hall Irina Isabekyan. 10.000 m² of road will be repaired this year in Yerevan - twice as much as last year. Considerable work will also be done on the construction and improvement of parks, new sidewalks, the replacement of walls, curbs and the irrigation network. Four pedestrian underpasses will also be repaired in 2020. “This year we have approved a budget of 300 million drams and have already ordered projects for the following pedestrian underpasses: Grigor Lusavorich Street, Mashtots Avenue, Azatutyun Avenue (“Lambada” bridge) and Tamantsineri Street”, noted Grigor Harutyunyan. Let’s recall, that in 2019 we already talked about pedestrian underpasses in the article “Underpasses in Yerevan Take a New Breath”. The municipality of Yerevan began the repair works in underpasses in December: “300.0 million drams were allocated for the project, however, the construction work is ongoing in three underground passes for which contract agreements for 44.0 million drams have been signed. ” The primary medical care centers are also in the spotlight. Along with the program of equipping clinics with medical equipment, overhauls will be carried out in medical centers. This year there are 5 policlinics in the program. Clinic #12 with an area of 8,000 square meters will be repaired in stages. This year the problem of bathrooms and power supply of the whole building will be solved, cabinet doors will be replaced.