VIDEO: Yerevan Municipality Begins the Replacement Process of 20 Elevators

The Yerevan Municipality has initiated the process of replacing elevators. There are approximately 3,500 elevators in the capital that are subject to replacement. Currently, the first 20 are being installed as part of a pilot program.

“Since 2018, we have had lengthy discussions with the mayor on how to start the extensive elevator project, where to begin. One of the key points of the electoral program was this. It was clear from the beginning that the project is extensive, and we are dealing with the interests of the majority of Yerevan's population. The best option was chosen for the installation of a specified number of elevators, both financially and technically, at the expense of community funds,” says Hayk Sarkisyan, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan.

The 20 elevators will be installed in 10 administrative districts. Currently, the dismantling of the old elevators is underway.

“The tenders have already been finalized, contracts signed, and the supply of elevators has begun. Suppliers have already imported 12 elevators, and 8 more are on the way,” Hayk Sarkisyan notes.

The pilot program for the replacement of 20 elevators is valued at around 190 million AMD. It is being implemented as part of a comprehensive project. The buildings were selected based on the wear and tear of elevator components, frequency of breakdowns, condition of the shafts, degree of wear of the cabs, and several other criteria approved by the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Almost 70% of the elevators operating in Yerevan have been in service for over 40 years, whereas they were supposed to be replaced after 25 years.

According to the law on the management of multi-apartment buildings, elevators are jointly owned by apartment owners, meaning the residents. The social significance of the issue and the necessity to ensure citizen safety compelled the community authorities to initiate the implementation of the program.

“The program is a great help both to the homeowners’ association and the owners. The association could not do this by itself,” says Shushan Kalantaryan, manager of the Argishti homeowners’ association.

The complete implementation of the project, concerning approximately 3,500 elevators, will be carried out in collaboration with the community and residents. “The full replacement of the fund will be funded through borrowed resources, which should be repaid over the years. Payments will increase only slightly—compared to the service and product residents will receive. The increase may be a maximum of 30-40%. To maintain the ‘identity’ of the model, we will apply the same payment collection mechanism. Those charges will be collected, but the community will not take that money; it will be provided to the homeowners’ association servicing the building,” emphasizes the Deputy Mayor of Yerevan.

According to Hayk Sarkisyan, the technical specifications of the elevator replacement program stipulate several criteria as mandatory requirements. “We strictly included inclusiveness components in the technical specifications, including legible buttons for visually impaired individuals, an audio system, an emergency call system, as well as ensuring the appropriate height of buttons so that wheelchair users can access them. We also engineered the door openings to meet those specifications,” he adds.

The installation of 20 elevators will be fully completed by the end of the year. Before the full-scale project begins, the Yerevan Municipality plans to replace an additional 100 elevators deemed hazardous in 2020. Funds for this initiative will be allocated in the budget for the following year.