A scandal erupted in Zaporizhzhia over the project to reconstruct the cultural center of the Zaporizhstal plant, the cost of which exceeds 331 million hryvnias.
The customer for the work was not the specialized department of culture, but the state enterprise "Local Roads of Zaporizhia Oblast". This caused surprise, because the structure is responsible for maintaining road infrastructure, not for repairing cultural institutions.
Formally, it is about creating a "multifunctional space", but the technical specifications indicate that this is more of a large-scale reconstruction.
The estimate includes:
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dismantling kilometers of pipes and hundreds of radiators;
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export of dozens of tons of metal;
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installation of "smart" boiler rooms;
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installation of 115 video surveillance cameras;
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dozens of IP phones;
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strengthening the basement to the level of a radiation shelter.
At the same time, the documentation does not include expenses for furniture, equipment for cultural events, and solutions for people with disabilities.
Local residents are sharply criticizing the project. The comments are filled with emotional assessments:
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"The war is going on, and they are modernizing parks and clubs!"
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"What renovations are being made to the cultural center? Will there be concerts there?"
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"All the money is needed to protect the city and the military!"
Additional outrage is caused by the figure of the head of the OVA, Ivan Fedorov. Zaporizhia residents suspect that the costs of "restoration" will actually become another source of enrichment for officials.
The project is presented as a step towards the city's restoration, but in a war situation, when the community expects increased defense and assistance to the military, the authorities' priorities raise more and more questions.
