What is planned to be built instead of 'Kukuruznik'

The newspaper 'Hraparak' reports: In 2005, the Youth Palace, better known among the public as 'Kukuruznik', was dismantled and later turned into a sand and basalt quarry. There is a project to restart construction on this site.

On October 20, 2005, the hotel building of the former Youth Palace in Yerevan was demolished under permit #40 from the Yerevan Municipality, based on the conclusion of 'Hayseysvshin' and the State Institute of Land Management, signed by Yerevan's chief architect Samvel Danielyan. Later, the area was sold to Martuni businessman Edik Avetisyan, who had 'grandiose' plans to construct a large complex here, even holding international competitions and discussing various projects, one of which was to be implemented as the winner. However, for various reasons, he later fell out with the authorities, and construction was not realized. Instead, sand was extracted and sold from the opened pits.

It is still unclear what will be built in place of 'Kukuruznik'; the most likely option is a hotel, and it is also not ruled out that the results of previous competitions may be returned to.

'Specific discussions are ongoing in Mr. Meshchyan's office. For instance, I would like there to be another Youth Palace, but I don't know how feasible that is. Whatever it is, it is important that this state of affairs definitely changes; it might become a hotel or a business center there,' said Viktor Mnatsakanyan, head of the Central Administrative District.

A source close to Edik Avetisyan confirmed to us that the owner is taking serious steps to start construction in that area, with discussions about building a hotel or a complex. 'A serious construction organization will build that complex. I have heard that there is a desire to build a complex there, and I have heard that the owner of that area is taking active steps in that regard to finalize the assignments and shape desires. You know, that area has stood in this condition for many years, and now he is undertaking serious measures to get that cart moving,' our interlocutor noted.

We asked why he decided to start construction now; could it be that there is a risk of losing the area? 'Honestly, I haven't thought about that; it's not so easy to take a person’s property from them. The fact that nothing has been built until now isn't purely his fault; the delays have arisen more from other individuals, organizations, and bodies that have obstructed, not because he has exhibited abstract activity. I believe that there is a real desire to build. There is a possibility that they will once again address the results of that competition and implement the program of the winning project,' our interlocutor added.

For more details, see today’s issue of the newspaper.