VIDEO: Commercial Stalls Adjacent to Komitas Avenue Market Being Dismantled

The commercial stalls located on the sidewalk adjacent to the closed market on Komitas Avenue in Arabkir are being dismantled. This information has been reported by the Public Relations Department of the Yerevan City Hall.

“11 stalls, which isolated the sidewalk from the street by approximately 25 meters, are also a planning mistake. This part of the sidewalk was once granted to a private entrepreneur for a period of five years. The term was then extended. After the contract expired, we had set the condition that it would not be extended any further,” stated Aram Danielyan, the head of the Arabkir administrative district.

The operator was informed months ago that the contract would not be extended. After lengthy negotiations, the dismantling process is now fully conducted at the expense of the stalls' owner.

The city administration reports that the main objective of this unprecedented program is first to free the sidewalk and then to restore the market to its significance and usability. After the dismantling of the stalls, the area will be renovated and greened. The interrupted tree line along the sidewalk will also be restored, new saplings will be planted, and in autumn, the area will be complemented with new trees.

The dismantling process of stalls installed on the sidewalks in Arabkir, especially on Komitas Avenue, will be continuous. “There are similar stalls on the other side of the market that also need to be dismantled in the same manner. We will fully return the sidewalk to its original functional state,” emphasized the district leader.

The dismantling of the stalls has caused discontent among the citizens who have conducted their business here for years. Although the community and the administrative district had no obligation towards the traders, upon the district leader's proposal, traders can continue their operations in the market and various other areas for the first few months without any payment.

Another example of returning sidewalks to residents is the opposite sidewalk of the market in Arabkir. After the construction of the shopping center, the sidewalk had completely turned into a parking area. This issue has already been resolved.