KCSA suspends the auction for lease of Zhytniy Market

Kyiv authorities have suspended the auction for the lease of Zhytniy Market. The KCSA said that it  listened to  the public, UNN reports.

"The auction for the lease of Zhytniy Market has been suspended. After listening to the public, the Department of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development appealed to the Department of Communal Property with a request to cancel the auction on April 15," KCSA said in a statement.

It is reported that the departments, together with the public, will further develop updated conditions for a future investor that will create and implement the optimal concept for market revival.

"Taking into account the resonance among the Kyiv community regarding the preservation of Zhytniy Market and its intended purpose, we decided not to hold an auction now, to work out new tender conditions and requirements for a potential tenant together with Kyiv residents. We need additional time for this," said Volodymyr Kostikov, Director of the Department of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of KCSA.

He added that the main condition for leasing Zhytniy Market will be the urgent overhaul and preservation of its functionality. After all, Zhytniy Market in Podil is one of the oldest markets in Kyiv. Its current premises were built in 1980. And today, after more than 40 years of operation, it needs major repairs to meet modern realities.

In addition, it is noted that the vision of the market revival concept must be agreed with Kyiv residents. This is what the relevant departments will be working on in the near future together with members of the public.

Context

Earlier, Zhytniy Market was planned to be leased for 15 years.

The announcement was made on the National Electronic Exchange.

The initial rental price of the building was  - UAH 2.5 million per month.

The Inzhur Foundation announcedthat  it is ready to turn the abandoned Zhytniy Market into a world-class destination - together with the international company Colliers.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that the condition of the lease is to maintain the functionality and continue the market's operation. The requirements for the tenant include reconstruction of the covered building, including its roof, and repair of utilities.

Chef, restaurateur and public activist Yevhen Klopotenko commented on the decision to suspend the auction for the lease of Zhytniy Market. He noted that full-fledged public hearings should be held next, where Kyiv residents will form a common vision of the market's development.

"They will actually become the basis for the future investment project, and the city authorities will decide which form will be best for its implementation. This will take about three months. Currently, all parties understand that Zhytniy must live, so immediate overhaul of the market while maintaining its basic functionality should be the main requirement for a future investor. At the same time, the entire process should be open and transparent," Klopotenko wrote.

Earlier, he expressed his suspicionthat Zhytniy Market was being deliberately brought to decay in order to turn it into another shopping center or high-rise.