Vladivostok Seafront Set for Major Upgrade

VLADIVOSTOK. August 20. VOSTOK-MEDIA – The Vladivostok Government has announced the start of a large-scale project to revamp the seafront of the city. Vladivostok mayor Igor Pushkaryov has been designated to oversee the cityscape upgrade project, which is implemented as part of the ongoing preparations for the APEC 2012 Russia forum.

Some 2.5 billion rubles ($82m) has been earmarked for the implementation of the project, which is a key component of the subprogram - Development of Vladivostok as a center for international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.

First Deputy Mayor Alexey Sukhov said the project involves the overhaul of ten facilities that shape the appearance of the city at the seafront as well as along the APEC 2010 Guests’ Route. It includes building facades, waterfronts, parks, squares, public gardens, sidewalks and monuments. The historic quarter of the city will be given a priority since over a hundred of old buildings, that are located there, are historical or architectural monuments.

The renovation of the seafront will run in three stages. The so-called first priority facilities, the reconstruction of which is scheduled to start later this year, have been designed and received approval. About 360 million rubles ($11.8m) have been already transferred to Vladivostok from the federal budget. The reconstruction will commence after holding of tenders for construction and erection works in September.

Sportivnaya Gavan and the square at Praporshchik Komarov Street will also undergo massive refurbishment. After the redevelopment the square will be renamed the Square of Honorary Citizens and a memorial plaque will be installed there. The project also calls for sprucing up Admiral Fokin Street, namely replacement of the paving stones, reconstruction of the fountains and flowerbeds, installation of new public benches and planting trees.

In addition, authorities plan to replace curbs and asphalt coating of the roads leading to the sea and the Guests’ Route – from Aleutskaya Street to Uborevich Street, from Svetlanskaya Street to Fontannaya Street, and from Semyonovskaya Street to Pogranichnaya Street. Granite paving stones will be installed at the sidewalks. Downtown Vladivostok will be refurbished with old-style lampposts, official said.

Decorative lighting is expected to be installed on the Central Post Office building this fall. Holiday and everyday lighting will be installed on one of the most beautiful buildings of Vladivostok - the Church of the of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin.

The first priority facilities are planned to be renovated before 2011. Landscape gardening and design works are scheduled for spring 2011.

The overhaul of the second priority facilities will start in 2011 and will include renovation of eight public squares, reconstruction of the Korabelnaya seafront, pedestrian areas, underground walkways and a number of highways, installation of architectural lighting on 25 residential and public buildings.

Construction of six multi-storey car parks in downtown Vladivostok, which is aimed to alleviating the citys chronic shortage of parking spaces, is the last stage of the cityscape upgrade project.