Ledyda is not yet ready to give up on Narodna square and says that the square will be reconstructed “for donors’ money” (commentary)

"We are committed to complete the project on the reconstruction of Narodna Square to make the regional center more beautiful and comfortable" – such is the title of the comment by the Head of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration Oleksandr Ledyda sent by the Press Center of the RSA. By the way, we have not been able to receive his opinion without intermediaries (the head of the region has not yet spoken to the community that protects the square, which, by the way, includes the artistic elite of the region). So we publish the formal notice. 

The Head of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration Oleksandr Ledyda commented on the reconstruction of Narodna Square in Uzhgorod as follows:   "As for Narodna Square, almost every day I hear criticism of the fact that the main administrative square of the region is in such poor condition. The square in front of the administrative building of the legislative and executive branches of Transcarpathia, where all the major problems of the region are solved, where hundreds of citizens of the region, Ukrainian officials of the highest level, foreign delegations come every day, deserves to be tidy and presentable.

For now, our region is the only one in Ukraine with the unsettled square before the main administrative building. And finally we found the opportunity to bring it to proper condition. I initiated a tender for the project of the reconstruction. The main requirements were that the square must retain the concept of the architectural design by the Czech architect Krupka, who created its project, but for some historical reasons, that project was not completed.

Another requirement was the that the square must become more functional, that is suitable for special occasions, and most importantly – for enjoyable rest of Uzhgorod residents and guests of the city.

I demanded and demand that all legal norms during the tender, preparation and reconstruction must be followed. I want to assure everyone that a lot of work has been done.      

I want to thank all the individuals who contributed to this project, as well as sponsors, among which, by the way, there are representatives of the opposition parties who have made financial contributions to the project of the reconstruction of Narodna Square. It should be noted that the share of patronage funds in the project is almost 70% of the total amount required." 

The confrontation, which has gained nationwide fame, continues and caring citizens still do not agree to allow to destroy Narodna Square, and continue to guard it. One of the demands of the protesters is not just to stop the illegal and inappropriate construction, but also to hold an open tender for the project of the improvement of the square. By the way, there is an alternative project, which provides for preservation of the lines of the square, which are appropriate to the environment, as well as ​​gardening and landscaping. Its cost is several times less than that of the project lobbied by the Governor.